H.E. Ambassador Rathakit Manathat, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to the Republic of Azerbaijan, paid a visit to Baku, the Republic of Azerbaijan, during 30 April to 4 May 2013, in preparation for the first Thai art and cultural event in Azerbaijan since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in the year 1992.

On 1 May 2013, H.E. the Ambassador met with H.E. Mr. Abulfas Gariyev, Minister of Culture and Tourism and H.E. Mrs. Sevda Mammadaliyeva, Deputy Minister of the same ministry, both of whom warmly welcomed and gave strong support to the Royal Thai Embassy’s initiative to bring Thai art and cultural troupe to perform in Azerbaijan. The objective of this first-ever cultural event is to introduce Thailand to Azeri people through the uniqueness of Thai art and culture which, in turn, will further increase Thai and Azeri people-to-people contact and further foster amicable ties between Thailand and Azerbaijan. Traditional Thai dances, fruit carving and Thai traditional umbrella-painting demonstration are among the activities in the 1-day event tentatively scheduled on 27 June 2013. The Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of Thailand will be invited to lead the Thai delegation to participate in the event and discuss bilateral cooperation of the two countries. “I do appreciate the kind advice of H.E. Minister Gariyev and strongly believe that with the assistance of the Azeri side the event will be a great success and mutually beneficial to both countries” said H.E. the Ambassador after the meetings.

During the discussion, H.E. Mr. Abulfas  Gariyev proposed Thailand and Azerbaijan to conclude bilateral agreements on culture and tourism to provide both sides the opportunity to exchange their experiences and best practices in such fields. The proposal was agreed by H.E. Ambassador Manathat and would be conveyed to the Thai authorities concerned for their consideration.

On the following day, the meeting between H.E. Mr. Mahmud Mammad-Guliyev, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan and H.E. the Ambassador was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan. In addition to the forthcoming Thai cultural event in June 2013 which H.E. Mammad-Guliyev expressed the Ministry‘s full support, way and means to deepen bilateral relations between both countries were also discussed. Both sides were of view that Thailand and Azerbaijan should have legal framework on trade and investment, establish visa exemption regime for diplomatic and service passport holders and implement the existing bilateral agreements, including Civil Aviation Agreement, protocol on cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Agreement in the Cooperation between the Board of Trade of Thailand and the Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

During the visit, on 3 May 2013, H.E. Ambassador Manathat also discussed and exchanged views with H.E. Mr. Nikolai Patskevich, Ambassador of Belarus to Azerbaijan who is also the Dean of Diplomatic Corps in Azerbaijan, on various issues of common interest of the two countries, including intergovernmental cooperation, exchange of visits of high-level delegations and trade and investment promotion. H.E. the Ambassador also paid a call on H.E. Mr. Raden Prayono Atiyanto, Ambassador of Indonesia to Azerbaijan. Both sides agreed to positively consider the possibility of organizing  a joint ASEAN cultural activity in Azerbaijan in the future.