Weekly press briefing by MFA spokesperson

on Thursday, 21 April 2022 at 16:00 hours

via MFA Facebook Live

1. ASEAN – U.S. Special Summit (12 – 13 May 2022)

• The ASEAN – U.S. Special Summit will be held during 12 – 13 May 2022 in Washington D.C. PM is considering the invitation to the Summit.
• The Summit commemorates 45^th year of ASEAN – U.S. relations. During the Summit, ASEAN and U.S. leaders will discuss ways to strengthen relationships in various areas i.e. Covid-19 recovery, public health security, climate change, sustainable development, maritime cooperation, human resource development, education, connectivity, and economy, as well as exchange views on regional and international issues with the highlight ASEAN centrality. The leaders will also promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the region.

2. Thailand provides additional humanitarian assistance to Ukraine

• On 12 Apr. 2022, RTE in Warsaw, on behalf of the Royal Thai Government, delivered the first batch of relief items to Ukraine amounting to 2 million baht (approximately USD 60,000) through the Polish Red Cross.
• The Polish Red Cross extended appreciation for Thailand’s support to humanitarian mission. Thailand is among the first countries that cooperate with the Polish Red Cross in extending humanitarian assistance people. RTE also provides other humanitarian support such as volunteering work particularly in Lublin, where the Polish Red Cross’s central hub for humanitarian aid is located.
• MFA recently approved additional 1 million baht (approximately USD 30,000) for humanitarian assistance. The 2 humanitarian aid will apply the Public-Private-People Partnership (PPP) approach. MFA will work with international organization, responsible for providing humanitarian aid particularly to vulnerable groups (children and women) in Ukraine, as well as engage Thai private sector in Europe and general public in fund-raising and procuring of relief items for people in need.
• This humanitarian mission underlines Thailand's deep concern over the plight of affected civilians and determination to support the international community to alleviate the consequences of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.

3. Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Thailand pays a courtesy call on Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs (11 Apr. 2022)

• Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Thailand paid a courtesy call on VFM on the occasion of the Ambassador’s assumption of duty. Both sides discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations between Thailand and the ROK in all dimensions.
• On the political issue, both sides supported the finalization of the Joint Action Plan (2022-2027) by this year to enhance the close Strategic Partnership between two countries.
• On the economic side, they discussed promoting trade and investment in Bio-Circular-Green Economy (BCG). VFM also invited the ROK’s private sectors to invest in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC).
• On the socio-cultural dimension, VFM expressed admiration to the ROK on the successful promotion of soft power and cultural diplomacy while the ROK side expressed readiness to enhance cooperation with Thailand in these areas.
• On regional and international cooperation, the Ambassador reaffirmed his support for Thailand’s hosting of APEC this year and confirmed that the new President of the ROK will attend the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Nov. this year.

4. Thailand receives 200,000 doses of Covovax vaccine from India (21 April 2022)

• DPM/Minister of Public Health chaired the handover ceremony of 200,000 doses of Covovax vaccine from India. The ceremony was also attended by Ambassadors of Australia to Thailand, Ambassador of India to Thailand, Ambassador of Japan to Thailand, Chargéd' Affairesof the U.S. to Thailand, and DDG of South Asia, Middle East and African Affairs Dept., MFA.
• The vaccine handover is under QUAD Vaccine Initiative which coordinates the efforts of Australia, India, Japan and the U.S. in combatting COVID-19. MFA has closely coordinated with the Embassy of India in Thailand and MOPH since February 2022.
• Thailand expressed appreciation to India for the handover of Covovax vaccine, which reflects the close relationship between two countries. MFA also thanked RTE in New Delhi, MOPH,and relevant agencies for coordination.

Weekly Press Briefing: https://fb.watch/cwSJmEzYN0/

Press Division
Department of Information