MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS B.BATTSETSEG HOLDS OFFICIAL TALKS WITH MR. PARNPREE BAHIDDHA-NUKARA DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE KINGDOM OF THAILAND

Нийтлэгдсэн огноо: 2024.04.23

Minister of Foreign Affairs B.Battsetseg, who is on an official visit to Thailand, held official talks with Mr. Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand on April 23, 2024.

The Foreign Ministers underscored the expanding relations and cooperation between Mongolia and Thailand over the past half century, with this year marking the solemn celebration of the 50^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

At the outset of the meeting, Minister B.Battsetseg expressed her pleasure in paying an official visit to the country within the framework of the historic anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, which are linked by shared religious and cultural ties. The sides discussed expanding cooperation in politics, economy, trade, investment, transport, logistics, agriculture, culture, and tourism, while exchanging views on deepening cooperation in the international and regional arenas.

Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara underscored the steady development of relations between Mongolia and Thailand over the past five decades, and expressed his confidence that the current visit, which is being implemented after 14 years at the level of the Foreign Minister, will significantly contribute to amicable relations and cooperation between the two countries.

During the talks, both sides expressed their contentment with the increase in bilateral trade and investment, along with the intensification of people-to-people exchanges. They reaffirmed their dedication to strengthen linkages between the private sector and entrepreneurs, utilizing established bilateral mechanisms such as the Intergovernmental Cooperation Council of Mongolia and Thailand, the Joint Trade Committee and the Business Council.

The sides concurred to engage in active cooperation aimed at increasing bilateral trade turnover to 100 million USD and investment to 1.5 billion USD, as outlined in the "Five-year Cooperation Plan between Mongolia and Thailand for 2022-2027", and also committed to finalize the drafts and conclude the intergovernmental agreements during the high-level visit.

Furthermore, both sides resolved to continue collaboration in the field of empowering public service human resources and training specialists in the health and tourism sectors within the framework of the Thai International Cooperation Agency, and agreed to establish the "2024-2025 Program of Cooperation between Thailand and Mongolia".

Both sides emphasized the significant increase in the number of Mongolian citizens visiting Thailand in recent years. The Thai side informed their decision to extend the visa-free travel period for citizens to 60 days by amending the existing visa exemption agreement between the two Governments, with both sides agreeing to cooperate on internal procedures for its implementation.

The sides noted that the two countries have supported each other and worked closely together at the UN, international organizations, and regional levels, reaffirming their commitment to further enhancing this cooperation in the future. In this context, the Mongolian side expressed confidence in the participation of representatives from Thailand in the 9^th International Conference "Ulaanbaatar Dialogue" on the security issues of Northeast Asia, which will be held in Ulaanbaatar in June, as well as the "World Women's Forum" scheduled in August this year.