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Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and Thai
Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra
in Tokyo |
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Japan is one of Thailand’s closest friends in Asia. The history of our relations dates back more than 600 years, encompassing trade, social affairs, as well as cultural linkages. We share tremendous similarities and a fond sense of an unbreakable friendship.
It is my privilege to have been administering, for the past four years, one of the most vibrant chapters in Thailand-Japan relations. I also have a wonderful working relationship with Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi. We share thoughts and a desire to make the best possible environments for both countries to stretch their potential to the limits.
The soon-to-be-concluded Japan-Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement, or JTEPA, will serve as a comprehensive framework functionalizing between the two countries free trade and other cooperation activities, such as energy, human resources, intellectual property and education.
We should look at the JTEPA as a synergy of strength not as a competition between two markets. It is a long-term process that will be beneficial for both countries. I would say that the Thailand-Japan relationship is about synergizing strengths, deepening a sense of ‘‘ownership’’ in our relations, and looking beyond bilateral relations.
With Japan, Thailand will further broaden and deepen relations by forging closer economic relations, enhancing a more favorable investment climate and generating greater business opportunities through cooperation, liberalization and facilitation in trade and investment.
‘I would say that the Thailand-Japan relationship is about synergizing strengths, deepening a sense of ‘‘ownership’’ in our relations, and looking beyond bilateral relations’
We are also committed to sharing our experience and bolstering assistance to countries in the region, in particular the CLMV (Cambodia, Laos Myanmar, Vietnam), to develop their capabilities, infrastructure, education and so on toward an effective integration into the international community.
The next two years will be very significant for Thailand as well as our relationship with Japan.
The 60th anniversary of H.M. the king’s ascension to the throne will be one of the biggest events ever seen in this country. With the presence of the Japanese Imperial family, the strong bond existing between the Thai and Japanese royal households will surely be strengthened even further.
The 120th anniversary of Thailand-Japan diplomatic relations in 2007 is particularly important not only for the two governments but for our two peoples. Our two governments will be jointly undertaking celebrative activities in both countries. |