Thai, Russian premiers agree to boost bilateral trade and tourism

ST PETERSBURG, May 19 (TNA) -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev agreed in Saint Petersburg on May 18 to increase the value of bilateral trade by five times in five years and reciprocally promote tourism. During his official visit to Russia set for May 17-19, Gen Prayut met Mr Medvedev at the Boris Yeltsin Presidential Library on May 18. In the meeting, both witnessed the signing of 14 agreements between the governments and the private sectors of both countries. They cover agriculture, fishing, military affairs, the exchange of information on financial transactions, energy issues and cooperation on small and medium-sized enterprises. The signing included agreements of 11 companies with US$1-billion investment. Consequently Thailand becomes the second biggest Southeast Asian investor in Russia. In their joint press conference, both prime ministers assured Thailand and Russia would increase the value of their bilateral trade by five times in five years and increase the numbers of travellers to each other. Thai Airways International will resume its direct flight services to Moscow this November. On the occasion, Thailand expressed interest in buying high-technology industrial products from Russia and exporting farm products including rice to support the food security of Russia. Seven Thai ministers accompanied Gen Prayut in this trip and it could be stated that Thailand and Russia had their joint small-scaled cabinet meeting. "This visit to Russia is neither to take sides with any party nor to change a diplomatic policy. We never take sides. We are a free country... We discuss the same thing with countries. All are our choices. Competition must be free," Gen Prayut said. He denied the earlier report that his delegation would discuss the procurement of arms or helicopters with Russian authorities. (TNA)