Summary Pakistan and Thailand have agreed on extending mutual cooperation on all forums including ASEAN.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Thailand have also agreed on finalising liberal trade accord.
Foreign Ministers of the two countries reached consensus in this regard after negotiations on Thursday.
Addressing a press conference subsequently, Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar said that the trade between Pakistan and Thailand has met the target of $ 1 billion annually. “Pak-Thai Joint Business Council will be inaugurated soon,” she added.
She further said that the liberal trade accord is important for the economies of both the countries. She informed that Thai Minister for Commerce will visit Pakistan in the next week and will participate in the assembly of Joint Economic Commission.
She observed that not only cooperation will be intensified for military training but Security Dialogue will also be held. She noted that talks between the two countries on Visa Agreement are also in the final stages. “Reconciliation Memorandum between the Foreign Services Academies will also be discussed,” Foreign Minister Khar said.
Khar also stated that Pakistan is following the Pakistan East Asia Policy and wants to become Sectorial Partner of ASEAN and Absolute Dialogue Partner, as ASEAN has played a key role in the region and serves as an example for SAARC Countries.
On the occasion, Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul said that he was the first Thai premier to visit Pakistan for the first time in the last ten years. “The visit has led to substantial talks.
The increase in volume of bilateral trade is satisfactory and steps are on the go to enhance the connections with regard to economic cooperation.” Thai leader asserted.
Thai Foreign Minister said that Thailand wants to engage in direct investment in Pakistan and at this stage, the volume of investment is $ 26 million. “Thai investors can gain benefit from the conducive environment for investment in Pakistan.
Thailand is ready to poise the Balance of Trade between the two countries,” Thai Minister for Foreign Affairs and premier maintained.
The Thai Minister for External Affairs also emphasised upon the need for extending Thai assistance on curbing terrorism and also in the department of Transnational Crimes, and added that a relevant conference will be held next month.
