Thailand, Fiji to expand trade, investment cooperation

BANGKOK, May 25 (TNA) - The Republic of Fiji and Thailand eye to expand bilateral coopeation in various areas, especially two-way trade and investment. The issue was raised during a meeting between visiting Fijian Prime Minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama and Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha at Bangkok's Government House on Monday. The Fijian and Thai leaders also discussed other issues of mutual interest and multilateral cooperation in the region, particularly that within the Thailand-Pacific Island Countries Forum (TPIF) and the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), under which both Fiji and Thailand have been dialogue partners since 2004. The Thai prime minister, who is also Chief of the army-led National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), then hosted a luncheon reception in honour of the Fijian leader, followed by a joint press conference on results of their discussion. The Fijian prime minister is visiting Thailand this week at the invitation of Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister General Tanasak Patimapragorn, aimed to further strengthen bilateral relations and expand coopration between the two allied countries. Fiji has become one of Thailand's closest allied countries among the Pacific Island nations, with high-level exchange visits and meetings between government officials of the two countries, after they established their diplomatic relations in December 1972. During his stay in Thailand, the Fijian prime minister also attends the 71st Session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), held in Bangkok from May 25-29. (TNA)