Thailand, Australia are ready to promote comprehensive cooperation

BANGKOK, Aug 4 (TNA) -- Australia and Thailand agreed to boost comprehensive cooperation. Deputy government spokesman Werachon Sukondhapatipak said Julie Bishop, the Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, met Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha at Government House at 11am. The prime minister said that the visit reflected good ties between Thailand and Australia that marked the 65th anniversary of their diplomatic relations. The Australian foreign minister said Australia confirmed close ties with Thailand and was ready to promote cooperation with Thailand comprehensively. The minister also inquired about political reform in Thailand and the prime minister said Thailand was proceeding well with its reform roadmap. According to Lt Gen Werachon, both sides discussed regional security issues and agreed to cooperate on intelligence and surveillance. The Australian minister praised Thailand for its efforts against trafficking in persons. Gen Prayut asked Australia to cooperate with Thailand on innovation and creative industries. Meanwhile, the Australian minister urged for the revision of the Thailand-Australia free trade agreement. The minister also said that Australia was ready to organize a special ASEAN-Australia summit next March. The prime minister expressed gratitude towards Australia for its interest in ASEAN and efforts to convince the United States to interact with the region constructively again. The prime minister assured that Thailand would support the summit that Australia would host and the summit would be successful. The prime minister also invited the Australian prime minister to visit Thailand as an Australian prime minister had not paid a visit here for nearly two decades. (TNA)