The visit will mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of mutual diplomatic relations as well as the 35th anniversary of Canada’s relationship with the Asean grouping of which Thailand is a member.
Harper is promoting Canada as an investment destination choice and will discuss cooperation between the two countries in combating human smuggling and terrorism in the region.
The Canadian premier will be officially welcomed Friday at Government House and will then meet with Yingluck.
Topics of discussion will include issues of mutual interest, trade and investment, energy, education, and security, as well as Asean-Canada cooperation. Yingluck will host a luncheon reception in Harper’s honour at Santi Maitri Building in the Government House compound.
His official visit not only commemorates the bilateral diplomatic relations, but also reaffirms the long-lasting and cordial relationship between the two countries.
Thailand, as the country coordinator of Asean-Canada relations from 2009-2012, will also take this opportunity to highlight the auspicious occasion of the 35th Anniversary of Asean-Canada dialogue this year.
The Thailand visit is part of Harper’s Asian tour that will take him to Japan on Sunday and Monday (March 25-26) and to the South Korean capital on Monday and Tuesday (March 26-27) where he will participate in the Nuclear Security Summit in Seoul.