Foreign Minister visits Thailand

G.Zandanshatar greeted by Thailand’s Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn

On December 6-9, Foreign Minister G. Zandanshatar paid an official visit to the Kingdom of Thailand at the invitation of Kasit Piromya, Thailand’s Foreign Minister. It coincides with the birthday of His Highness Bhumibol Adulyadej, the King of Thailand, and the National Celebration of Thai people. The Foreign Minister met with Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn,who has visited Mongolia twice.

Mr. Zandanshatar appreciated the significant contribution of the Princess to developing Mongolia- Thailand relations and cooperation, and to strengthening the mutual understanding between the peoples.

He also spoke highly of her activities for friendship of the world people and goodness for international children, including Mongolia’s. Afterwards, G. Zandanshatar granted the Princess the Polar Star Order under Presidential decree and conveyed a heartfelt His Highness Bhumibol Adulyadej and his family.

The Princess expressed her appreciation for Mongolia’s State Prize and asked to extend her cordial greeting to the State Head of Mongolia. She also expressed satisfaction with development of Mongolia in democratic and market ways, underlining the importance of women’s role, responsibility and participation in the political and social frames in Mongolia. The Princess mentioned that she is keen to hear about Mongolia and wished

Mongolians all the best.

Following her visit to Mongolia in 1992, the Princess authored a book named ‘Airag’ which contributed to promote Mongolia in Thailand. The Princess is one of the most respected persons in Thailand because she had initiated many programs and funds to help the poor and disabled and to improve their livelihoods. For example, she executed a supply of 230  tonnes of rice, and a tonne of medicine and foods to the Red Cross Society.

During a visit to Mongolia in 2009, she launched a model project called ‘School Lunch’ in a secondary school

in Altanbulag Soum of Tov Aimag. In 1991, the Princess was awarded the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Public Service. Moreover, the Prize  of Honor of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and other prizes have been awarded to her. She also was bestowed the title of Honorary Doctorate from some 40 universities and institutes.

On December 7, a Mongolia- Thailand business forum was held in Bangkok, Thailand. The Minister gave a speech at opening of the forum which was co-organized by  the Foreign Investment and Foreign Trade Agency (FIFTA) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia,

Thailand’s Investment Department and Trade Chamber. In his opening remarks, G. Zandanshatar underlined

that the forum provides businessmen of the two countries with specific information about the investment environment in both countries and gave them an opportunity to establish contacts. He also mentioned the possibility to boost cooperation in mining, energy, tourism, food industry and health spheres and addressed representatives of two sides to use new economic and financial potentials of two countries to cooperate.

B. Ganzorig, Head of FIFTA gave an expanded report on the business environment in Mongolia, investment opportunities, allowances from the government for foreign investors and continued by saying that the government is ready to support business people.

The forum has attracted representatives of nine companies of Mongolia and some 50 business delegates of Thailand’s private sector.

Following the business forum, Foreign Minister G. Zandanshatar enjoyed ‘Siam Niramit’, one of world’s large-scale theatrical performances, which shows the wonders of Thai national culture and traditions that included over 150 artists and about 100 technical workers and used 500 complete garments. During his visit to Thailand, Foreign Minister G. Zandanshatar and his Thai counterpart Kasit Piromya held official talks; and on December 8, the Mongolian Minister met with Thailand’s Prime Minister, Abhisit  Vejjajiva.

To begin the talks, both Ministers mutually briefed about political, economic and social conditions of home countries, appraised current bilateral relations and exchanged views on expanding bilateral ties and cooperation within frames of the region and multilateral process.

The Prime Minister of Thailand underlined that the visit was well-timed in the present situation of bilateral relations and offered to collaborate in implementing democratic principles and values in the international arena, developing mutual-supportive cooperation in the spheres of mining and agricultural mechanisms and machineries, construction, infrastructure, light industry as well as the decorations, religious and cultural spheres.

In turn, Mr. Zandanshatar noted that presently, there are favorable conditions to deepen bilateral collaboration and expressed an interest to determine cooperation suggestions, directions and receive mining and agricultural machineries and Thai  specialists. The request was positively accepted and it was decided to send a working group. Also, Thailand’s interest was expressed to expand cooperation through a line of Thailand International Cooperation Agency.

Mr. Zandanshatar met with Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and informed him that Mongolia attaches great importance to develop cooperation with ASEAN countries, and Thailand in particular. In turn, the Prime Minister pointed out the importance of trade and technical cooperation in ASEAN’s region and integration process and expressed his confidence that the countries will collaborate in multilateral relations and international matters.

The same day, Mr. Zandanshatar held a meeting with Deputy Commerce Minister Alonkorn Polabutr and expressed Mongolia’s interest to expand bilateral relations in trade, and to collaborate in mining, tourism and agricultural mechanisms. He also proposed to create a permanent mechanism of bilateral economic and trade cooperation, seek new market opportunities, such as producing new products that combine Mongolia’s cashmere and Thai silk. In turn, Mr. Alonkorn supported the proposal and mentioned the possibility of  creating ‘brand’ cashmere-silk products

source: The Mongol Messenger newspaper