PMs agree to deepen ties

Thailand and Japan have agreed to further enhance cooperation across a broad spectrum following talks, government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said yesterday.

He said Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha welcome Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and his delegation who are on an official visit to Thailand on Monday.

Gen Prayut said Thailand and Japan have been close strategic partners for over 10 years and that the official visit of the Japanese prime minister would reinvigorate efforts to propel the next phase of relations and cooperation, according to Mr Thanakorn.

Gen Prayut proposed that relations between the two countries be elevated to a “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership”.

Mr Kishida thanked the government and the

Thai people for their warm welcome, and said it was good to meet Gen Prayut once again after having last met in 2016.

Addressing the 135th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, Mr Kishida affirmed Japan’s commitment to continue forging close and cordial ties with Thailand at all levels.

He also agreed with Gen Prayut on elevating relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and proposed that the two countries consider increasing close cooperation on important issues such as the response to the Covid-19 pandemic, security and judicial cooperation, and economic, Mr Thanakorn said.

On economic cooperation, the two sides agreed on expediting the drafting of a five-year joint plan on a Thailand-Japan strategic economic partnership, which would serve as a roadmap to push forward ties in potential areas of interest.