On 16 May 2023 H.E. Mr. Vijavat Isarabhakdi, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, met with H.E. Ms. Maria Tripodi, Undersecretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy in the course of her visit to Thailand during 16-18 May 2023 to attend the 79th Session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) at the UN Conference Center.

VFM convened the meeting with his appreciation for Italy’s generous offer to donate 7 million doses of bivalent Pfizer vaccines to Thailand. Both sides then exchanged views on ways to strengthen bilateral ties and promote cooperation in various fields, such as trade and investment in EEC under Thailand 4.0 and BCG (Bio-Circular Green Economy).

Both sides also discussed cooperation in culture and preparation for the upcoming 7th High Level Dialogue on ASEAN-Italy Economic Relations in Thailand. Co-chaired by Thailand and Italy, the Dialogue is to be held at the end of this year. The meeting also mentioned Italy’s cooperation with ASEAN as a Development Partner as well as regional issues, including the situations in Myanmar and Ukraine. In this regard, Thailand also took the opportunity to request the support of Italy in Thailand’s bid to host the Specialized Expo 2028 in Phuket.

This high-level (ministerial) visit of Italy to Thailand in several years highlighted the 155th anniversary of Thai-Italian diplomatic relations in 2023.