NZ ready to welcome Yingluck
- Published: 19 Mar 2013 at 08.23
- Online news: Local News
New Zealand Prime Minister John Key said on Monday he is looking forward to talks this week with Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, especially on growing trade.
The formal invitation to visit New Zealand was made at this meeting last July between Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully. (Photo by New Zealand ministry of foreign affairs and trade)
The premier leaves for Papua New Guinea and New Zealand on Thursday. During her trip, she will become the first Thai leader to receive an honorary degree from Auckland University of Technology.
"New Zealand’s relationship with Thailand is a close and warm one," said a statement posted at the official New Zealand government website. "[T]his visit underscores those close ties and looks towards new areas of cooperation."
Ms Yingluck will take at least 30 Thai business people with her on the trip which will seek investment cooperation as well as study cooperation on agriculture.
In New Zealand, Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul will sign a letter of intent on science and innovation in order to pave the way for the exchange of researchers and research work on food security and sustainable agricultural development.
Mr Key's statement said Thailand and New Zealand "have shared interests in political, security, economic, education, science and technology and development issues."
It noted that trade between the two countries has doubled since the New Zealand-Thailand Closer Economic Partnership Agreement of 2005, and "I look forward to discussing with Prime Minister Yingluck opportunities to build on this."
Share this article
Latest stories in this category:
Bangkok Post online classifieds
Try buying & selling goods and properties 24/7 in our classifieds which has high purchasing power local & expatriate audience from within Thailand and around the world.
