On Monday 30 April 2007, Mr. Irwandi Yusuf, Governor of Aceh Province and his party called on Mr. Nitya Pibulsonggram, Foreign Minister, at Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  Other Thai representatives who attended the meeting included Mr. Manaspas Xuto, Advisor to the Foreign Minister, Mr. Norachit Sinhaseni, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Foreign Affairs, and Mrs. Atchara Seriputra, the Thai Ambassador to Indonesia.

In this occasion, both sides discussed several important matters of which main points can be summarized as follows:

1. Cooperation on Economic Development of Aceh: Governor of Aceh expressed his willingness to bring the experience and expertise in economic development of Thailand back to adapt in order to develop the economy of Aceh.   In this regards, Mr. Nitya expressed the willingness of the Thai side to provide assistance to Ache.  Both sides agreed that the visit to Doi Tung Development Project would greatly benefit the Ache side.  Governor of Aceh determined to learn about the Crops Substitution Project and adopt the knowledge gained from such project for the areas in Ache where farmers are growing marijuana.  Mr. Nitya further suggested that animal husbandry, especially sheep farming which is one of the projects at Doi Tung, be an alternative for economic development in Aceh.  Mr. Nitya also emphasized that community building is an indispensable part for achieving sustainable economic development. 

2.  Cooperation on Early Warning System for National Disaster: Both sides discussed about early warning system for earthquakes and tsunamis.  The Thai side is employing American system whereas the Indonesian side using German system.  In this connection, Mr. Nitya viewed that there is a possibility for cooperation between both sides to raise the capacity of their early warning systems.

3.  Situation on Thailand’s Southern Border Provinces: Mr. Nitya expressed his gratitude towards all countries, Indonesia included, for their support for Thailand in resolving the problem in its 3 Southern provinces.  He also reiterated that the current government is trying to solve the problem based on the rule of law, fairness, and social justice.

Additional Information

After the meeting with Foreign Minister, the Governor of Aceh Province is scheduled to pay a courtesy call on Chief of Joint Staff of the Royal Thai Armed Forces and the Director-General of the Fisheries Department.  He is also scheduled to visit the Royal Chitralada Project, and the Doi Tung Development Projects of the Mae Fah Luang Foundation in Chiangrai. These projects could serve as a model for sustainable development in Aceh and contribute to improving the welfare of the Achenese people. 

Mr.Irwandi Yusuf, who was elected as the new Governor of Aceh Province on 8 February 2007, is visiting Thailand as guest of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs during 29 April to 5 May 2007.  His visit is aimed to promoting close and friendly ties between Thailand and Indonesia and to reaffirming Thailand’s readiness to support sustainable development in Aceh, after the humanitarian assistance provided by Thailand to Tsunami victims in Aceh in 2004.