Kantathi's visit boosts Thai-Irish ties
After decades of mutual neglect, Thailand and Ireland have agreed to intensify diplomatic relations with new ideas and strategies, including opening embassies and starting a direct air link between their respective capitals.
Efforts will also be made to increase trade volume and the enrolment of Thai students at world-class universities in Ireland, following caretaker Foreign Minister Kantathi Suphamongkhon's three-day working visit there early this week.Kantathi met his Irish counterpart Dermot Ahern and senior officials from the Ministry of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources to discuss bilateral relations. He also toured and was briefed by trade, research and development institutions that have helped to propel Ireland's economic progress. Kantathai firmly believes that Thailand can learn a lot from Ireland, which has transformed itself from an agricultural nation some 15 years ago to a leading member of the European Union with cutting-edge technology and research facilities. "We have to follow up, now that Thai-Ireland ties are on the radar screen," he said. Ahern told a press conference after meeting Kantathi that Thailand would be among the countries where Ireland is seeking to open a new foreign mission. Concerning trade and economic cooperation, Kantathi said both Thailand and Ireland could form a partnership to provide assistance to countries in the region, especially in Laos, Cambodia and Burma. He also discussed the possibility of signing an agreement to avoid double taxation in future. Kantathi also appealed to Ireland to assist Thailand regarding the EU's plan raise the import tariff on Thai chicken from 10 per cent to 53 per cent. Such a drastic increase would devastate chicken exports to Europe, he said. The Nation Dublin
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