Foreign Minister János Martonyi conducted bilateral talks with Surapong Tovichakchaikul, the Foreign Minister of Thailand on the sidelines of the 9th Summit of the ASEM-Asia-Europe Meeting.

It was noted during the talks that the results of the efforts to develop relations discussed during the April 2012 visit of Minister Martonyi to Bangkok have started to manifest. They welcomed the results of bilateral trade, the volume of which remained near last year’s record level during the first eight months of 2012. The parties stated that it was their common interest to see to it that the next meeting of the Economic Joint Commission is held during the first half of 2013. They expressed their satisfaction over the cooperation that started between foreign policy institutes and in the field of research and development.

The two Foreign Ministers considered it important to continue the political dialogue; both parties expressed their hope that the meeting of their Prime Ministers will take place soon, either in Bangkok or in Budapest. Foreign Minister Surapong indicated that he would be more than happy to continue the dialogue with his colleague in early 2013 with the possibility to further develop relations.

Minister Martonyi emphasized that the increased regional role of Thailand, its internal stability proves why Hungary views Thailand as a regional medium power and aspires, in this spirit to develop relations in a diverse way. We welcome the fact that the government of Yingluck Shinawatra is pursuing prudent politics, he added, in order to deepen the democratic processes in Thailand and at the same time is successfully implementing the process of economic and social recovery after the devastating floods of autumn 2011. He emphasized that we are ready to welcome Thai investors and tourists in Hungary and reiterated: we are ready to respond to the request of the Thai Prime Minister to study the Hungarian constitution drafting process. Minister Martonyi noted with satisfaction that significant progress was been made at the meetings to discuss the agreements which are so important for the relations between Thailand and the European Union, because these also significantly improve the framework of bilateral cooperation.

Foreign Minister Surapong praised the Hungarian interest and commitment to the Asian continent in the global opening of Hungarian foreign policy. He congratulated the success of the ASEAN Awareness Forum organized recently in Budapest. He emphasized that – beside the development of economic ties – they attach special significance to the development of scientific and technology, as well as educational relations in the development of bilateral relations.

(Ministry of Foreign Affairs)