Thai FM officially visits Timor Leste

BANGKOK, May 19 (TNA) - Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai is paying an official visit to Timor Leste during May 18-20 at the invitation of Timorese Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Hernâni Coelho, marking the 15th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Timor Leste and Thailand. Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Busadee Santipitak, who is also Director-General of the ministry's Department of Information, told journalists on May 18 that during his stay in Timor Leste, the Thai foreign minister will meet his Timorese counterpart and jointly sign an agreement on visa exemption between diplomats and government officials of both countries. The spokeswoman stated that both sides will also discuss issues on promoting two-way trade and strengthening bilateral relations. Besides, the visiting Thai foreign minister is scheduled to pay a courtesy call on outgoing Timorese President Taur Matan Ruak and Prime Minister Rui Maria de Araújo and to attend the swearing-in ceremony of new Timorese President Francisco Guterres. "During his ongoing trip, the Thai foreign minister is also emphasizing on two issues, including the promotion of partnership for development between the two allied countries under their third phase of a three-year cooperation plan on agriculture, public health and tourism and on the exploration of more opportunities to expand bilateral trade and investment between the two countries, covering infrastructure development projects", the spokeswoman said. According to the spokeswoman, discussions between the Timorese and the Thai sides will also cover coopeation on the development of a village model in Timor Leste's Hera Town, where the Sufficiency Economy Principle guided by Thailand's late His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, will be adopted. The spokeswoman noted that the Thai foreign minister's ongoing visit also marks the twin celebrations of the 15th anniversary of the independence of Timor Leste and the 15th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Timor Leste and Thailand. (TNA)