Foreign Minister Nitya has an audience with H.H Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al-Khalifa, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain. Foreign Minister Nitya has a bilateral meeting with Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al-Khalifa, his Bahraini counterpart. Foreign Minister Nitya meets with Thai community in Bahrain

Foreign Minister Nitya Pibulsonggram paid an official visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain during 20-22 April 2007 as guest of the Foreign Minister of Bahrain.  The objective of the visit is to further enhance the close and cordial relations between Thailand and Bahrain, one of Thailand’s closest allies in the Middle East, and in recognition that the year 2007 is the 30^th Anniversary of the establishment of Thailand-Bahrain diplomatic relations.

On 21 April 2007, Foreign Minister Nitya had an audience with H.H. Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al-Khalifa, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain. The Bahraini Prime Minister conveyed his best wishes for the good health and prosperity of His Majesty the King and other members of the Royal Family and expressed admiration that His Majesty is indeed Thailand’s main pillar, whose achievements and sacrifices is respected and recognized by both the people of Thailand and the international community.  Foreign Minister Nitya congratulated H.H. Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al-Khalifa on the occasion that H.H. received the UN-HABITAT Scroll of Honour (Special Citation) 

H.H. Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al-Khalifa expressed confidence that the Thai Government would be able to resolve the problems in the southern border provinces. He encouraged perseverance, steadfastness and commitment on the part of the Thai Government, as the problem solving process might take some time. H.H. Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al-Khalifa affirmed that Bahrain stands ready to support Thailand in finding a solution to the problems. In H.H.’s own experience from numerous visits, Thailand is a country that grants freedom to all religions equally.  

H.H. Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al-Khalifa declared that he will attempt in all possible way to enhance the relations between the two countries and stands ready to support Thailand in all avenues. Thailand should “always remember you have got a friend.”

On the same day, Foreign Minister Nitya also met with Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al-Khalifa, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain. During the meeting, Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al-Khalifa confirmed that Bahrain shall open its Embassy in Bangkok later this year.  It will be Bahrain’s only embassy in the region.  The two sides agreed that on the occasion of the opening of the new Embassy, the 2^nd Meeting of the Thai-Bahrain High Level Joint Commission should be held in Bangkok to confer on all dimensions of bilateral cooperation, including trade, investment, tourism, health, energy and aviation.  Furthermore, Bahrain would arrange for Bahraini businessmen to visit Thailand for business matching.

Foreign Minister Nitya explained about the current Government’s approach towards resolving the problems in the southern border provinces, which emphasize peace, reconciliation and economic and social development in conjunction with application of justice and the rule of law along with military and administrative measures. Particular emphasis is being placed on economic and social development in the southern border provinces, especially with regard to education, employment and entrepreneurship.  This should improve the economic competitiveness of residents in the region in accordance with the His Majesty’s initiative calling for “understanding, reaching out and development” for the southern border provinces.  The current Government’s approach has received cooperation and support from Malaysia, Indonesia and other Arab countries.

H.E. Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al-Khalifa expressed agreement and support for the current Government’s approach.  He affirmed that “We always stand with you and support you until the settlement of the southern issue.” He also expressed Bahrain’s readiness to render support on this issue in both the bilateral and multilateral dimensions, such as bilateral cooperation in education and creating business opportunities for the southern borders provinces, particularly for Halal products, and multilaterally by helping to explain to the members of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) that the problems in Thailand’s southern border provinces is not a religious conflict and that the current Thai Government is pursuing the most appropriate approach to resolve the situation.  Both sides also agreed that the Bahrain Foreign Ministry and the Royal Thai Embassy in Manama should discuss at the earliest details for educational cooperation in subjects for which Bahrain has expertise, such as banking, business and management.

The two sides also agreed to help support and promote the Thai Business Center in Bahrain to realize its full potential at the earliest opportunity.  Bahrain requests that Thai Airways consider reopening the Bangkok-Manama flight route.

As for the multilateral issues, the two sides discussed the situation in the Middle East and conferred about the cooperation opportunities within the framework of the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD).

On this occasion, Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al-Khalifa also hosted a luncheon in honour of the Thai Foreign Minister.

Later in the evening, Foreign Minister Nitya met and exchanged views with Thai community in Bahrain at the Royal Thai Embassy in Manama.

Foreign Minister Nitya will travel on to the United Arab Emirates to pay an official visit during 22-24 April 2007.