Thailand, Japan hope to improve people’s well-being hinh anh 1Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai and Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida. (Photo: Reuters)

Bangkok (VNA) – Thailand hopes to work with Japan to improve the well-being of people in developing countries to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations (UN).

Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai made the statement during a bilateral talk with his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida in Bangkok, Thailand on May 1.

The Thai minister hailed Japan for its role as G7 Chair and a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council (UNSC).

Both sides also exchanged views on the situation in the Korean Peninsula and the territorial disputes in the East Sea. They discussed cooperation on tackling international security challenges such as terrorism, nuclear proliferation and maritime security.

Don Pramudwinai reaffirmed that Thailand would support the international community to resolve the Korean Peninsula issue through diplomacy and peaceful negotiation while the country urged all concerned parties in the East Sea dispute to exercise restraint and approach the problem diplomatically.

On economic issues, the two foreign ministers discussed rail cooperation on the Bangkok-Chiang Mai High Speed Rail project and the dual-track rail project on the Southern Economic Corridor. The feasibility studies for these projects are due by the end of the year.

In addition, the two officials signed a Memorandum of Intent (MOI) for the two nations to deepen cooperation in agriculture and its related areas.

Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida plans to meet with Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and deliver a speech on Japan’s foreign policies in regard to ASEAN at CHulalongkorn University on May 2.

He will visit Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam after Thailand.-VNA
VNA