Bangkok (VNA/NNT) – Russian Minister ofForeign Affairs Sergey Lavrov paid an official visit to Thailand on August 9-10.

On August 10, Minister Lavrov had a bilateralmeeting with his Thai counterpart Don Pramudwinai, followed by a joint pressconference by both ministers and a viewing of an exhibition on the history ofThai – Russian relations on the occasion of the 120th anniversary of Thai –Russian diplomatic relations held at the Ministry.

Lavrov then paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister PrayutChan-o-Cha at the Government House and later signed the book of condolences inremembrance of His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej at the Grand Palace.

In both the meetings between the Russian minister andthe Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister of Thailand, apart from followingup on the outcome of the Prime Minister’s official visit to the RussianFederation last May, both sides also had fruitful discussion on importantissues of mutual interests, such as increasing bilateral trade by five fold by2020 from 2 billion USD to 10 billion USD, Russia’s purchase of more Thaiagricultural products, enhanced cooperation in energy, science, technology andsecurity, promotion of Russian investment in Thailand’s S-Curve industries inareas of Russian expertise, for example, aerospace, digital and robotics, insupport of Thailand 4.0 policy, especially Russian investment in Thailand’sEastern Economic Corridor (EEC) project.

Russia was invited to fully utilise Thailand’s centralstrategic position in the ASEAN market. The Thai side also asked for Russiansupport for Thai investments in Russia and for starting the process ofnegotiating a free-trade agreement between Thailand and the Eurasian EconomicUnion (EAEU) at the earliest opportunity. Furthermore, both sides alsoexchanged views on regional and global issues such as the situation in theAsia-Pacific region, the South China Sea, the Korean Peninsula and cooperationwithin ASEAN.

This visit to Thailand of the Russian Foreign Ministerwas a significant success. It strengthened bilateral relations, which havegrown more dynamic these past three years, and was also one of the importantevents commemorating the 120th anniversary of Thai-Russian diplomatic relationsthis year. The visit will help pave the way for closer relations andcooperation between the two countries.-VNA/NNT