On 23 February 2023, H.E. Mr. Vijavat Isarabhakdi, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, together with H.E. Mr. Alexander Khvtisiashvili, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, co-chaired the 2nd Thailand-Georgia Political Consultations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The forum aimed to foster bilateral cooperation and enhance mutual understanding on regional and international issues.

The Meeting reviewed the bilateral relations and ways forward for Thailand and Georgia, notably through an exchange of high-level visits, inter-parliamentary cooperation and tourism. Both sides also discussed trade and investment opportunities, especially in agriculture, food processing as well as trade facilitation. Other topics of discussion included technical cooperation to exchange each side’s knowledge and best practices. Both sides also reiterated the importance of consular cooperation to further promote engagements between the peoples.

In addition, both sides exchanged views on regional and global situations as well as reciprocal support at the United Nations. VFM also asked for Georgia’s support for Thailand’s candidature to host the Specialised Expo 2028 in Phuket.

After the Consultations, the Co-Chairmen witnessed the signing of two memoranda of understanding (MoU), namely (1) the MoU between the Devawongse Varopakarn Institute of Foreign Affairs (DVIFA) and the Levan Mikeladze Diplomatic Training and Research Institute, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia and (2) the MoU between the Board of Trade of Thailand and the Georgian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) which will further strengthen technical and trade cooperation in years to come.

On this occasion, VFM also hosted a luncheon in honour of the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia and the Georgian delegation.

Thailand and Georgia established their diplomatic relations on 21 July 1992. Both sides commemorated the 30th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations last year. Established in 2017, the Political Consultations Meeting is one of the important mechanisms between the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs to advance bilateral relations and cooperation. The 1st Political Consultations was held in Tbilisi in 2019.