Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, concluded on Saturday a visit to Thailand.
An official statement underscored Riyadh and Bangkok’s keenness on bolstering bilateral, regional and international cooperation in all fields. It added that they were ready to work on consular affairs to benefit their countries.
Crown Prince Mohammed was received by King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua and Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana at the Chakri Maha Prasat Throne Hall on November 18.
The historic meeting was the first between the royal families of the two kingdoms since bilateral relations were fully normalized in January 2022.
Thai Prime Minister and Defense Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha officially welcomed Crown Prince Mohammed for talks aimed at bolstering bilateral, regional and international cooperation in all fields.
The two leaders welcomed the signing of major bilateral agreements and memoranda of understanding that covered a number of fields, including the establishment of the Saudi-Thai Coordination Council and encouraging direct investment between Thailand and Saudi Arabia. Agreements also covered tourism, energy, combating corruption, political, defense and security cooperation.
Saudi Arabia and Thailand highlighted the importance of encouraging market-access of both countries, as well as the strong interaction between their private sectors to increase investment opportunities, to diversify bilateral trade, and increase the exchange of visits of trade delegations.
They discussed cooperation between the public and private sectors in key potential areas, including building materials, petrochemicals, foodstuff, consumer products, digital economy, transportation and logistics, industry, mining, electric vehicle manufacturing, agriculture, luxury, and hospitality, as well labor cooperation, environmental cooperation, and climate change among others.
They discussed ways and means to materialize investment opportunities in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) and Special Economic Zones (SEZ) in Thailand and mega projects, such as the NEOM project in Saudi Arabia, based on the complementary nature and compatibility of the Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and Thailand's Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) economic model.
Thailand expressed its readiness to support the Saudi Green and Green Middle East initiatives and cooperate with the Saudi Investment Fund to facilitate more economic cooperation in the future.
The two sides stressed the importance of joint efforts to combat extremism and promote understanding, tolerance, peace, and security.
On international affairs, they exchanged views on developments in their respective regions, such as the situation in Yemen, Iran and Afghanistan.
They stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation with international organizations and reiterated their willingness to support each other in areas of common interest.
They renewed their determination to continue coordinating and intensifying efforts to maintain international peace and security.
They stressed the importance of all countries in adhering to the Charter of the United Nations, the principles of international legitimacy, international law, the principles of good neighborliness, and respecting the unity and sovereignty of states, non-interference in their internal affairs, and pursuing peaceful means to resolve disputes.
Thailand praised Saudi Arabia’s active humanitarian efforts in promoting peace and prosperity in the Middle East.
Crown Prince Mohammed expressed his gratitude to Thailand’s support of Saudi Arabia hosting the World Expo 2030 in Riyadh.
