THAILAND-PHILIPPINES/PRIME MINISTER Thailand PM meets Philippine president to strengthen bilateral ties

Record ID: 142192

  • Title: THAILAND-PHILIPPINES/PRIME MINISTER Thailand PM meets Philippine president to strengthen bilateral ties
  • Date: 28th August 2015
  • Summary: MANILA, PHILIPPINES (AUGUST 28, 2015) (AGENCY POOL) AQUINO AND PRAYUTH WALKING INTO PALACE AND SHAKING HANDS AQUINO AND PRAYUTH TAKING SEATS THAI OFFICIALS SITTING FILIPINO OFFICIALS SITTING FILIPINO AND THAI DELEGATES INSIDE RECEIVING HALL
  • Embargoed: 12th September 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Philippines
  • Country: Philippines
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA18LSJ6ZIOQVHHP6I819NH0NNA
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha capped a two-day visit to the Philippines on Friday (August 28) in a meeting with President Benigno Aquino on improving ties between the two nations.
    An honour guards ceremony welcomed Prayuth at the Malacanan Palace, before the leaders sat down for a bilateral meeting which was expected to focus on trade, security and economic cooperation.
    Aquino said the meeting had strengthened existing bilateral relationships and explored cooperation in the areas of tourism, education, investment and the protection of overseas workers.
    "For more than six decades now, the Philippines and Thailand have demonstrated the high value we place upon our relationship. We have concluded numerous agreements and enhanced our cooperation in areas ranging from air services to defence, from agriculture and energy to tourism and culture amongst many others. All of which revolve to the benefit of our peoples," Aquino said at a joint statement.
    Prayuth said he spoke to Aquino about the recent blast in Bangkok that killed 20 people including a Filipino national.
    "On this occasion, on behalf of the Thai government, I would like to express condolences to the Filipino national who was injured from the bomb incident (in Ratchaprasong) on August 17 (2015). Thai authorities have now put the situation under control and necessary measures have been taken to assist the victims. The government has tasked security officials to speedily investigate and search for the perpetrators to bring them to justice," he said.
    Prayuth said both leaders also discussed their views on the South China Sea.
    "On the situation regarding the ASEAN region and the South China Sea, I affirm to cooperate with the Philippines and ASEAN countries in fully implementing the DOC (Declaration on the Conduct of parties in the South China Sea) and COC (Code of Conduct in the South China Sea) and promote consultations and conduct in the South China Sea as Thailand is the coordinating country and is willing to continue with it. Thailand also supports Singapore who will take the (ASEAN-China coordinator) duty next year," he said.
    The code of conduct, signed by Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China in 2002, commits the signatories to exercise "self-restraint" in activities that could escalate disputes.
    Tensions have risen in recent months with China's recent reclamation activities in the South China Sea.
    China claims most of the waterway, through which $5 trillion in ship-borne trade passes every year. The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei also have overlapping claims.
    Thailand is the Philippines' eighth largest trading partner in 2014, with total bilateral trade of $5.83 billion, the Philippine Foreign Affairs Department said.
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