Allied nations praise Thailand's progress in line with roadmap

BANGKOK, January 15 (TNA) - Allied nations have expressed their appreciation to Thailand's progress in national reform based on a roadmap introduced by the interim government of Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha. The compliment came from the top envoys of Russia, Australia, Switzerland and Canada during their meeting with Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister General Tanasak Patimapragorn in Bangkok on Thursday. Russian Ambassador to Thailand Kirill Barsky welcomed the progress, saying he was also pleased with results from an official visit to Thailand by Russian Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov on January 9. Besides, the Russian top envoy acknowledged that both countries have agreed to jointly organize activities to celebrate the 120th anniversary of Thai-Russian diplomatic relations in 2017, starting from next year. Paul Robilliard, Australian Ambassador to Thailand, noted that he has followed up Thailand's political situation and admired the Thai government for allowing all parties to have their says in national reform. Mentioning that Thailand is a center of Southeast Asia and Canberra's 8th most important trading partner, the Australian top envoy also said that on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Thailand-Australia Free Trade Agreement (FTA) this year, both countries will increase mutual trade and investment, promising that Canberra will bring Australian business operators to explore more trade and investment opportunities in Thailand. Swiss Ambassador Christine Burgener praised the Thai government for listening to all parties on national reform and promised to share with Thailand Switzerland's experiences in organizing elections and corruption suppression. Canadian Ambassador Philip Calvert also lauded Thailand's progress in national reform as planned and expressing his hope that Thailand would finally introduce true democracy. The Canadian top envoy also praised Thailand's leading roles in the formation of the ASEAN Community (AC) and the Kingdom's coordination of relations between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China, while both sides agreed on the importance of expanding bilateral cooperation on trade and investment as well. (TNA)