Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, deputy prime minister and minister of defense, and Thai Prime Minister Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha in official talks reaffirmed the two countries' keenness on the importance of strengthening friendship ties between them and opening a new chapter in relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Kingdom of Thailand. In a joint statement issued at the conclusion of the state visit paid by the Thai prime minister to Arabia, the Prime Minister affirmed that his country attaches the utmost importance to the bond of friendship with the Kingdom and is keen to resolve all pending issues between the two sides, expressing his sincere regrets for the tragic cases that took place in Thailand between 1989–1990. The Thai premier visited the Kingdom at an invitation from Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman. The Thai prime minister reaffirmed that Thailand had exerted utmost efforts to resolve the cases and that it stands ready to bring the cases to the consideration of the competent Thai authorities if new well-founded evidence relating to the cases should emerge. He also reaffirmed Thailand's commitment to providing appropriate security to members of the mission of the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Bangkok in accordance with the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. Both sides also reiterated their commitments to do their utmost to ensure the safety of each other's nationals in their respective countries. The two sides exchanged views on various regional and international issues, and discussed means and ways to strengthen their bilateral relations in all areas. They also agreed to increase interactions and coordination between their respective government agencies as well as private sectors in order to elevate their bilateral relations to new heights for the mutual benefit of the two Kingdoms. In the spirit of cooperation and shared determination to revive the friendship and cordial relations between the two Kingdoms and their peoples, as guided by the bold leadership and vision of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, the Crown Prince, and the Thai Prime Minister, the two sides agreed to fully normalize their diplomatic relations. This historic breakthrough is a result of long-term efforts on many levels from both sides to restore mutual trust and friendly relations. The two sides agreed on important steps to be taken to reinvigorate their bilateral relations, including the appointment of ambassadors to their respective capitals in the near future and the setting up of consultative mechanisms for consolidating their bilateral cooperation. Intensive coordination will commence in the coming months to discuss bilateral cooperation in key strategic areas. The two sides discussed means and ways to strengthen and enhance economic and trade relations between the two Kingdoms by exploring investment and other opportunities in the context of Saudi Vision 2030 and Thailand's national development agenda, namely the Bio — Circular — Green Economy policy. They also agreed to explore new areas of cooperation, such as renewable energy, environment, digital transformation, and cybersecurity. They further emphasized the importance of fostering people-to-people relations, which will be the cornerstone of the two Kingdoms' growing relations, in addition to exploring new areas of cooperation, such as: renewable energy and the environment, digital transformation and cybersecurity. The two sides agreed to support each other in the international organizations and fora and stressed the importance of the commitment of all countries to the Charter of the United Nations, international norms, and principles of good neighborliness, respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty, non-interference in internal affairs, and the peaceful settlement of dispute. They welcomed each other's constructive roles in their respective regions, particularly Thailand's vital role in ASEAN as well as Saudi Arabia's leading role in the maintenance of peace, security and humanitarian and development assistance. The Thai Prime Minister congratulated the Kingdom on its success in hosting and organizing the G20 Summit, which has yielded positive outcomes in many areas, such as economy, development, environment, health, energy, etc. The Crown Prince also expressed confidence that Thailand's hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) in 2022 will be successful and greatly contribute to the sustainable, balanced, and inclusive growth of the regional and global economy in the post-COVID-19 era. The Prime Minister welcomed the (Saudi Green Initiative) and the (Middle East Green Initiative), launched by the Crown Prince. He also commended the leading role of Saudi Arabia in various common international issues, including combatting climate change, and its positive impacts for the region and its population. The Crown Prince also praised Thailand's Bio — Circular — Green Economy policy, which aims to enhance resource efficiency, transform waste into wealth, regenerate biodiversity, and mitigate impacts on the environment. Crown Prince Muhammad welcomed the policy of Thailand represented in the bio — circular — green economy, which aims to enhance the efficiency of resource use, transform waste into wealth, renew biodiversity and mitigate negative impacts on the environment. The Thai Prime Minister expressed his appreciation to King Salman and the Crown Prince, and expressed his best wishes for their good health and for the prosperity and progress of the Saudi people. Crown Prince Muhammad also expressed his best wishes for the good health and well-being of King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua and the prime minister and for the prosperity and progress of the Thai people. — SPA
