Thai PM, in Italy at ASEM, meets with Japanese counterpart

MILAN, ITALY, October 16 (TNA) – Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha met with his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe during their stay in Italy to attend the Asia-Europe Meeting. After arriving in Milan, the venue of the meeting, the first task of General Prayut was to meet the business community of participants in the Asia-Europe Business Forum and to lay down policies to Thai officials in Europe including Thai ambassadors there. He told the ambassadors to play a higher profile business role and emphasize the connectivity between Thailand and other Southeast Asian nations, especially the country's border economic zones and transport networking with neighboring countries. On Thursday morning, Prime Minister Prayut met for discussions with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. He told Abe that Thailand is implementing the second phase of its reform plan and was is developing towards true democracy. Prayut said that his government was stimulating the national economy, developing infrastructure, including transport systems and inviting Japan to participate in Thailand's development and Thailand's projects in the Dawei special economic zone. General Prayut also praised Japanese investors for not abandoning Thailand in its crises. He promised to take good care of the Japanese business community and investors in Thailand. Abe congratulated General Prayut for assuming the premiership and invited the latter to officially visit Japan. He also praised General Prayut's leadership and expressed his hope for the success of Thailand's reform roadmap. He promised Japan would support Thailand in all areas including research, development and railway construction. General Prayut also met one-on-one talk with Czech President Milos Zeman. At 2pm local time (7pm in Thailand), Gen Prayut was to attend a ceremony to open the 10th Asia-Europe Meeting. (TNA)