BANGKOK, Thailand – Director-General of the Department of American and South Pacific Affairs, Mr. Chettaphan Maksamphan, held a video conference with Ms. Joanna Kempkers, Divisional Manager for South and Southeast Asia of the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade on 4 October.
During the meeting, both sides discussed on workplan and ways to enhance the momentum of bilateral relations towards the advancement of the Thailand-New Zealand Strategic Partnership. The workplan also includes the commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the Closer Economic Partnership in 2025. Both sides also discussed the preparation for the official visit to Thailand of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of New Zealand, and the official visit to New Zealand of Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand.
In addition, both sides agreed to convene the 13th Thailand-New Zealand Senior Officials’ Talks (SOTs) in New Zealand in 2025 to discuss and develop drafts of a Joint Declaration and a comprehensive Plan of Action, which both Prime Ministers shall announce as Visionary and Plan of Action of the said Strategic Partnership by 2026, which is the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between Thailand and New Zealand. (MFA)
