Blinken: Thailand important partner in the 21st century


During the official visit to Bangkok last weekend, U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said that Thailand is an important partner of the U.S. in the 21st century, in which he met Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and signed a communique to further expand bilateral ties and the strategic alliance.
 
In Thailand, “we have an ally and partner in the Indo-Pacific of such importance to us in a region that is shaping the trajectory of the 21st century, and it is doing that every single day,” Blinken said after talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai.
 
In the meeting with Secretary Blinken at Government House, Prime Minister Prayut expressed his hope that U.S. President Joseph R. Biden would attend the summit of Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders in Bangkok this November. Thailand is the host country for APEC 2022.
 
Secretary Blinken praised Thailand’s efforts in hosting APEC this year amid concerns about the global pandemic and its lingering effects.
 
“Thanks to Thailand’s leadership, we have seen APEC nations worked together this year to promote economic policies that are aligned with tackling the existential challenge of our time, and that is climate change,” Blinken added.
 
“Our countries share the same goal of a free open, interconnected, prosperous, resilient and secure Indo-Pacific. In recent years, we work together even more closely toward that vision. Our economic ties are incredibly strong and even now emerging from COVID. They will grow stronger,” he further mentioned.
 
Aside from the communique on their strategic alliance, the two sides also signed a memorandum of understanding on promoting supply chain resilience as the two countries have long and deep trading and commercial relationships. Blinken also raised the prospect of enhanced cooperation on public health and fighting climate change, areas in which Thailand has been showing leadership in the region.
 
Blinken arrived in Thailand after attending the G-20 summit in Bali, Indonesia. Upon leaving Thailand, he traveled to Japan to express condolences from the U.S. for the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
 
https://www.mfa.go.th/en/content/sec-blinken-july22-2?cate=5d5bcb4e15e39c306000683e