Prayut looks to Fiji PM for support in UN bid
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PRIME MINISTER General Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday asked for support from Fiji in Thailand's bid to become a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) 2017-2018.
The issue was discussed during a meeting yesterday with his Fijian counterpart Josaia Voreqe (Frank) Bainimarama, who was in Thailand on a working visit to boost ties and forge cooperation on trade, development and security.
While in Thailand, the Fijian prime minister will also attend the 71st Session of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN Escap), which ends on Friday.
Thailand has been a dialogue partner in the Pacific Island Forum (PIF) since 2004 and sends representatives to attend the forum annually, Prayut said.
Fiji is among the top Pacific island countries with economic potential for Thailand. The island provides resources such as fisheries, forests and minerals for the Thai industrial sector, he said.
Thailand – a potentially large market for the Pacific islands region - is aiming to promote the growth of trade between the two countries. Thailand’s major exports to Fiji include cars, thermoplastics and soaps – while importing meat and fisheries from Fiji.
Prayut added that Thailand and Fiji had always had cordial relations in the international arena.
Thailand wanted to exchange votes with Fiji in the UN for its bid to be a non-permanent member of the UNSC. In return, Thailand would support Fiji’s bid to be member of the UN Human Rights Council and chair of the General Assembly, Prayut said.
