Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, left, and Thailand's Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai pose for a photo prior to their talks in Phuket, Thailand, Saturday, July 15, 2023. - AP
BANGKOK (Bernama): Thailand's Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai held a bilateral meeting with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov in Phuket on Saturday to discuss issues of common interests.
In a statement, the Thai Foreign Ministry said Don and Lavrov also exchanged views on regional and global issues, such as the situation in the Asia-Pacific region, Ukraine, and Myanmar.
"Both sides had a fruitful discussion to follow up on the outcome of the 8th session of the Joint Thai-Russian Commission on Bilateral Cooperation on April 27 this year, which had covered important issues of mutual interest
"These included increasing bilateral trade to the pre-pandemic level through trade facilitation and removal of non-tariff barriers, particularly on Thai fishery products; enhancing cooperation in science, technology and innovation (STI), culture, sports, tourism; as well as expressing support for the commencement of negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Thailand and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) at the earliest opportunity,” it said.
Lavrov’s visit to Phuket was to preside over the official opening ceremony of the Consulate-General of Russia in Phuket.
This recent visit was Russian Foreign Minister first post-Covid-19 trip to Thailand after his latest official visit on July 30 to 31 in 2019 to attend the 52nd Asean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) and Related Meetings held in Bangkok. - Bernama
