(17 Apr 2024)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Bangkok – 17 April 2024
1. Wide of New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin pose for photos inside Government House, Bangkok
2. Wide of leaders walking into room, Luxon sits and signs visitors book
3. Leaders posing for photos together
4. Various of meeting between the leaders ++CAMERA NOT STEADY / QUALITY AS INCOMING++
5. Various of signing of MOU over aviation supplies and services, one of two MOUs signed
6. Mid of Luxon
7. Mid of Srettha
8. Wide of exchange of MOU documents
9. Wide of leaders making media statements
10. SOUNDBITE (English) Srettha Thavisin, Thai Prime Minister:
“We have agreed to elevate Thailand New Zealand relations to a strategic partnership in 2026 or sooner, which will mark the 70th anniversary of our diplomatic relations. This will create the momentum for us to further expand and deepen cooperation in all dimensions.”
11. Various of meeting between business delegations, chaired by the two leaders ++CAMERA NOT STEADY / QUALITY AS INCOMING++
12. SOUNDBITE (English) Christopher Luxon, New Zealand Prime Minister:
“Trade has already tripled in the 20 years since our FTA was put in place but today we have committed to look for further opportunities to expand our economic cooperation and for new opportunities. Today we announced an ambitious goal to triple our two-way trade by 2045.”
13. Leaders shake hands and leave
STORYLINE:
Thailand and New Zealand are aiming to triple trade between them within the next 21 years, the leaders of the two countries said on Wednesday, and to up their relationship to a strategic partnership.
The announcements came during a state visit by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to Bangkok, the first by a New Zealand leader in 11 years.
He met with Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin at Government House for discussions that covered bilateral and international matters, including trade, investment, visa arrangements, tourism, transnational crime, cyber-security.
The leaders presided over the signing of two MOUs: one on education and one covering supply, repair and maintenance in the aviation sector.
Business delegations from both countries also held a meeting helmed by the two prime ministers, looking to expand rapidly expand the bilateral economic relationship.
The leaders also spoke about developments in neighbouring Myanmar.
Thailand is closely watching the tense situation on its northwestern border where the key Myanmar town of Myawaddy has just fallen to forces fighting the military authorities, who seized power in 2021.
Srettha said that he told Luxon Thailand is ready to provide humanitarian assistance to those affected by any unrest in the area.
AP video by Jerry Harmer
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