On 26 January 2023, H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, held bilateral talks with H.E. Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye, on the occasion of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs’ visit to Türkiye to co-chair the Fourth Meeting of the Thai-Turkish Joint Committee on Economic and Technical Cooperation (JETC) during 26 - 27 January 2023.

Both sides expressed congratulations on the occasion of the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Türkiye, the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Türkiye as well as the 500th anniversary of the establishment of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2023. The Ministers agreed to organise activities to commemorate these auspicious occasions.

Both sides discussed ways to strengthen economic cooperation and promote their bilateral trade and investment. Thailand and Türkiye’s strategic location and Free Trade Agreements could be beneficial as gateways for each other and in connecting their respective regions. The Ministers acknowledged the need to increase their trade volume and value in a more balanced manner for more diversified and sustainable bilateral trade. In this regard, the Thai side reaffirmed the importance of an early conclusion of the Free Trade Agreement between Thailand and Türkiye. The two sides also agreed on enhancing reciprocal investments, especially Türkiye’s investments in Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) in targeted industries such as the defence industry and renewable energy.
The two sides are pleased with the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Development Cooperation between Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA) and Turkish Cooperation & Coordination Agency (TİKA). The Memorandum of Understanding will not only enhance Thai-Turkish cooperation on regional development but also open up opportunities for trilateral cooperation with third countries.

Moreover, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs exchanged views with the Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs on regional developments, especially the situation in Ukraine. The Thai side commended Türkiye’s constructive role in this issue, for instance, in successfully mediating the Black Sea Grain Initiative.