The Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs had a virtual discussion with the Minister of State of the United Arab Emirates to strengthen bilateral relations, especially on promotion of trade and investment of UAE private sector in EEC and cooperation in response to COVID-19 as well as in international organizations.

On 26 October 2020, H.E. Mr. Vijavat Isarabhakdi, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, held a virtual meeting with H.E. Mr. Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of State of the United Arab Emirates, to maintain the momentum in the bilateral relations amidst the spread of COVID-19. Both sides discussed constructive ways to further promote and strengthen bilateral cooperation in the areas of trade and investment, food security, health and tourism. Both sides also discussed on Thailand’s participation in Dubai World Expo 2021 as well as the commemorative activites to celebrate the 45th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between the two countries in 2020.

In this connection, their respective ambassadors have been tasked to work closely together to identify the potential target industries for cooperation in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) and utilise their respective expertise in pursuit of concrete cooperation between the private sectors. They also explored the potential areas of future cooperation in financial services, aviation and development of infrastructure.

In addition, the Thai Vice Minister informed his Emirati counterpart of Thailand’s support to the UAE’s candidature for the non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the term 2022-2023. Both sides expressed willingness to consider favourable support in international organizations. The Thai candidature in Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization (AALCO), the UAE’s support for Thailand in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the UAE’s accession to Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), and the UAE’s candidature for the seat of Secretary General of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) were cited as examples.