ID :
64614
Mon, 06/08/2009 - 08:40
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/64614
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Thai PM starts official visit to Malaysia to strengthen ties
BANGKOK, June 8 (TNA) - Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Monday began his one-day official visit to Malaysia to strengthen ties with Thailand's neighbour to the south and to strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
The familiarisation trip is Mr. Abhisit's first official visit to Malaysia after becoming prime minister on December 17, and he is the first foreign government leader to visit Malaysia after Najib Tun Razak took office as prime minister on April 3.
During his one-day visit to Malaysia, Mr. Abhisit will meet Prime Minister Razak to discuss issues of mutual interest to further enhance the existing cooperation and friendship between the two countries as Thailand regards Malaysia as a strategic partner.
Mr. Abhisit is expected to ask Malaysia to strengthen the two countries’ cooperation in development programmes as part of the ongoing measures to end the armed conflict and restore peace in Thailand’s southernmost provinces bordering Malaysia.
The issue of dual nationality is also expected to be discussed as it relates to security.
It is believed that some insurgents, with dual nationality and documentation from both countries, carry out attacks and flee to hiding places in Malaysia.
More than 3,500 people have been killed in an insurgency which re-erupted in January 2004 in Thailand’s southernmost provinces of Pattani, Narathiwat and Yala. There were many tools between the two countries to foster cooperation using varied existing mechanisms including a Joint Commission (JC), which meets periodically, an annual consultation and a joint development strategy for border areas (JDS).
The Thai prime minister, accompanied by high-ranking officials including Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, Foreign Affairs Minister Kasit Piromya and Army chief Gen. Anupong Paochinda, was also expected to discuss bilateral economic cooperation in the wake of the global economic slump and cooperation in education.
Mr. Abhisit will also have an audience with Malaysia’s king, and meet members of the Thai community and students living in Malaysia. (TNA)
The familiarisation trip is Mr. Abhisit's first official visit to Malaysia after becoming prime minister on December 17, and he is the first foreign government leader to visit Malaysia after Najib Tun Razak took office as prime minister on April 3.
During his one-day visit to Malaysia, Mr. Abhisit will meet Prime Minister Razak to discuss issues of mutual interest to further enhance the existing cooperation and friendship between the two countries as Thailand regards Malaysia as a strategic partner.
Mr. Abhisit is expected to ask Malaysia to strengthen the two countries’ cooperation in development programmes as part of the ongoing measures to end the armed conflict and restore peace in Thailand’s southernmost provinces bordering Malaysia.
The issue of dual nationality is also expected to be discussed as it relates to security.
It is believed that some insurgents, with dual nationality and documentation from both countries, carry out attacks and flee to hiding places in Malaysia.
More than 3,500 people have been killed in an insurgency which re-erupted in January 2004 in Thailand’s southernmost provinces of Pattani, Narathiwat and Yala. There were many tools between the two countries to foster cooperation using varied existing mechanisms including a Joint Commission (JC), which meets periodically, an annual consultation and a joint development strategy for border areas (JDS).
The Thai prime minister, accompanied by high-ranking officials including Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, Foreign Affairs Minister Kasit Piromya and Army chief Gen. Anupong Paochinda, was also expected to discuss bilateral economic cooperation in the wake of the global economic slump and cooperation in education.
Mr. Abhisit will also have an audience with Malaysia’s king, and meet members of the Thai community and students living in Malaysia. (TNA)
