November 6, 2012
Draft
Joint Press Statement between the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand and the Government of the Republic of Korea, on the occasion of the Official Visit to the Kingdom
of Thailand of His Excellency Mr. Lee Myung-bak, President of the Republic of Korea, 10 November 2012.
1. His Excellency Mr. Lee Myung-bak, President of the Republic of Korea, paid an Official Visit to the Kingdom of Thailand from 9 to 11 November 2012, at the invitation of Her Excellency Miss Yingluck Shinawatra, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand.
President Lee laid a wreath at the Korean War Veterans Memorial at the 21st Infantry Regiment, Queen’s Guard of the Royal Thai Army in Chonburi Province on 9 November, and will visit the Khlong Lat Pho Flood Gate Initiated by His Majesty the King in Samut Prakarn Province following the Summit Meeting on 10 November 2012.
2. During the visit, the two leaders held bilateral talks at the Government House, covering a wide range of issues including bilateral relations, regional cooperation as well as international issues of mutual concern.
3. In commemoration of the 55th Anniversary of Thailand - Republic of Korea Diplomatic Relations in 2013, the two leaders welcomed the establishment of the Strategic Partnership between the Kingdom of Thailand and the Republic of Korea as a platform for the enhancement of closer cooperation between the two countries, and reaffirmed their commitment to working closely towards the enhancement of the strategic partnership.
4. They welcomed the increase of bilateral trade volume to 13.9 billion US Dollars in 2011, a significant increase from the previous year, and reiterated their joint efforts in expanding bilateral trade to 30 billion US Dollars by 2016.
5. The two leaders agreed to exert serious efforts to adopt the Trade and Economic Cooperation Plan of Action (2013 - 2017) between the Kingdom of Thailand and the Republic of Korea at an early date, comprising various cooperation areas to promote trade facilitation, while minimizing obstacles to the bilateral trade between the two countries.
In this regard, they also called for an early resumption of bilateral trade talks under the Thailand - Republic of Korea Joint Trade Committee.
6. With a view to promoting stronger economic linkages between the two countries, they also agreed to hold exploratory talks and conduct a joint study on a possible Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Thailand and the Republic of Korea. Results and findings as well as policy recommendations would be submitted to the respective governments within 12 months for further consideration.
7. The two leaders also stressed the importance of investment promotion and industrial development cooperation in areas of mutual benefit for economic development in both countries, particularly technology on green growth, automobiles and auto parts, metals and metal products, machinery and electronics, processed foods and energy.
8. With tourist exchanges between the two countries numbered over an unprecedented 1.3 million people in 2011, the two leaders emphasized that an early resumption of bilateral air services negotiations will promote cooperation in aviation as well as facilitate movement of peoples, goods and services. Further, the two leaders agreed to assist and facilitate the mutual protection of expatriates or tourists who are respective nationals of Thailand and the Republic of Korea.
November 6, 2012
9. The two leaders shared the view that the establishment of Korean banks in Thailand could facilitate bilateral investment and trade, and agreed that relevant agencies could further discuss this issue.
10. The two leaders welcomed the collaboration between both countries on a wide range of infrastructure projects, in particular, Thailand’s establishment of water management system, as well as high speed rail and power development.
11. The two leaders welcomed the hosting of the Global Climate Fund (GCF) Secretariat by the Republic of Korea as well as the launch of the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) as an international organization in October 2012 as important initiatives for assisting developing nations in their efforts to achieve low carbon, sustainable green growth.
12. Recalling the signing of the Defense Cooperation MOU by two Governments in March, the two leaders renewed their commitment to work closely together to deepen cooperation in the areas of defense and defense industries.
13. The two leaders welcomed cultural and education exchanges, which have contributed to the bond of friendship between Thailand and the Republic of Korea and have fostered greater understanding between peoples of both countries. Both sides also reiterated their intention to expedite the establishment of Thai Cultural Centre and Korean Cultural Centre in Seoul and Bangkok respectively to commemorate the 55th Anniversary of Thailand - Republic of Korea Diplomatic Relations.
14. The two leaders stressed the need for closer cooperation to support regional integration, including under such frameworks as ASEAN+3, East Asia Summit (EAS) and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF). Prime Minister Yingluck also reiterated the importance of ASEAN connectivity to enhance regional growth. The two leaders also pledged to collaborate closely for the successful co-hosting of the Third ARF Disaster Relief Exercise (DiREx) in 2013 by Thailand and the Republic of Korea.
15. The two leaders appreciated the progress of cooperation between the Mekong and ROK and expressed their satisfaction at the convening of the 2nd Mekong-ROK Foreign Ministers' meeting in July 2012, Cambodia. In addition, the two leaders reaffirmed a strong commitment to enhance their bilateral cooperation in the context of the Mekong- ROK cooperation and welcomed the convening of 2013 Mekong-ROK Business Forum in Thailand.
16. On regional security, Prime Minister Yingluck reiterated Thailand’s unwavering support for the efforts of the Republic of Korea to strengthen peace and security, and achieve the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. President Lee Myung-bak expressed his sincere gratitude for the continued support and cooperation by the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand.
Bangkok, November 10, 2012
