On mutual relations: PM Yingluck expressed her pleasure to meet with the Turkish Prime Minister again after their last meeting during the Bali Democracy Forum last November. She also thanked for the warm welcome, and reaffirmed cordial relations between Thailand and Turkey. In the year 2018 which marks the 60th anniversary of Thailand-Turkey diplomatic relations, there would be joint activities to celebrate and symbolize close and long-term relations between the two countries. The meeting today would also result in concrete development with the signing of joint operation plans which would be an important mechanism to upgrade mutual cooperation to closer partnership.
On economy, trade and investment: Both parties came to terms on the Free Trade Agreement between Thailand and Turkey and would start with a joint feasibility study. Increase of mutual trade value within the next 5 years was also agreed upon. PM Yingluck confirmed that political and economic situation in Thailand was now stable and invited Turkish private sector to invest more in Thailand, particularly in the area of construction where Turkey is the world's second largest construction export industry. In her visit to Turkey, PM Yingluck brought along Thai private sectors in diversified fields such as energy, automotive parts, halal food, construction, and textile in order to seek new investment opportunity in the areas of Turkey’s expertise.
On connectivity: Both countries had given priority on infrastructure development particularly transportation to connect different regions. PM Yingluck informed that Thailand had planned to invest in infrastructure project worth 66 billion US Dollars which include rapid rail system connecting Lao PDR and China, all the way to Russia, and Europe with an aim to be the logistics hub of ASEAN. Thailand was also interested in a railroad project to connect with Turkey’s New Silk Road project as part of the Asia-Europe connectivity.
On tourism: Both parties were pleased with the increasing people-to-people relations which resulted from the exemption of visa for ordinary passport holders to and from each other’s country. The Thai Government also planned to open Thai consulates in the cities of Antalya and Izmir, and Turkey intended to do the same in Chiang Mai, and Phuket. This will further promote people-to-people relations between the two countries, as well as tourism, and trade in the future.
On education and culture: PM Yingluck thanked the Turkish Government for providing scholarships to Thai students every year, and the Thai Government would like to do the same to the Turkish students. Early this year, Prince of Songkla University has collaborated with Ankara University to establish the first Turkish Study Center in Thailand at its Pattani campus. PM Yingluck also commended Turkey for its leading role in the Middle Way of Islam. Thailand, therefore, hopes to see exchange of visits and training of mullahs between the two countries particularly mullahs from the Southern part of Thailand.
Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (IOC): PM Yingluck thanked Turkey for its understanding of the situation in the southernmost of Thailand and providing constant support Thailand within the IOC framework. The Thai Government committed to end the conflict with peace, and priority would be given to human rights and the rule of law.
After the plenary meeting, both premiers chaired the signing ceremony of the following 3 Agreements: 1) Treaty on the Transfer of Prisoners and Cooperation in the Enforcement of Penal Sentences; 2) Thai-Turkish Joint Action Plan; and 3) MOU on Academic Cooperation and Diplomat Training between Thai and Turkish Institutes of Foreign Affairs, followed by the joint press conference of the two Prime Ministers. Gist of the joint press conference is as follows:
PM Yingluck thanked Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of Turkey for the warm welcome extended to her and the delegation during the visit to Turkey, and commended the country for its perfect integration of modernity and ancient civilization. Turkey’s strong economy also very much contribute to regional and global economy. Thailand pledged support on Turkey’s democracy and its elected government. PM Yingluck expressed her pleasure to be able to visit Istanbul which was a city rich in history, culture, and economic growth.
Diplomatic relations between Thailand and Turkey had been continued for over 55 years. Both premiers agreed to further strengthen future relations.
The Thai-Turkish Action Plan which was earlier signed would be an important mechanism to expand mutual cooperation in all dimensions. As for the relations in trade and investment, both parties came to terms on the increase of mutual trade value within the next 5 years. In her visit to Turkey, PM Yingluck brought along Thai private sectors in diversified fields such as energy, halal food, and tourism in order to seek new investment opportunity in the areas of Turkey’s expertise. PM Yingluck also confirmed of a joint feasibility study on Free Trade Agreement between Thailand and Turkey.
Both nations agreed with peaceful coexistence despite difference. PM Yingluck thanked the Turkish Prime Minister for his understanding and support on Thailand’s attempt for peacekeeping in the southernmost provinces of the country. She also thanked the Turkish Government for providing scholarships to Thai students every year most of whom were Muslim students from the South.
Both parties also agreed upon the connectivity enhancement between the two countries, as well as the Eurasian region. Thailand was pleased to support Turkey’s New Silk Road project under the framework of ACD to connect Asia and Europe through a rail route via Turkey. She also pledged support for Turkey to become an ACD member. In addition, PM Yingluck marveled the Marmaray TunnelProject where she had a chance to visit, and informed the Turkish Prime Minister of the Thai Government’s infrastructure projectworth 66 billion US Dollars.
The Thai Prime Minsiter lastly thanked the Turkish premier for being an excellent host, and extended her invitation for the Turkish Prime Minister to visit Thailand in the future.
Source: Thai Givernment News (http://www.thaigov.go.th/en/news-room/item/78417-thailand-to-promote-more-trade-investment-and-connectivity-with-turkey.html)