Prayut has upbeat talk with new Singapore envoy
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha welcomed Singapore’s new ambassador, Kevin Cheok, at a meeting at Government House on Thursday (October 3) during which they discussed international relations, economic issues and climate change.
Prayut congratulated the ambassador on assuming the post and expressed confidence that their countries would maintain solid and supportive relations.
He conveyed his congratulations to Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on receiving this year’s World Statesman Award and thanked the city-state for bringing trade partners and investors to Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor.
Cheok said his country recognises Thailand’s potential a regional economic hub and would continue to support its efforts as chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), particularly in the area of sustainable development.
He expressed hope that negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) would be completed this year to enhance trade among Asian countries and thanked Thailand for assisting in the training of Singapore’s air force over the years in combat tactics and logistics.
Prayut and Cheok agreed that climate change was contributing to the drought, flooding and rising temperatures experienced in the region and that close cooperation among Asean nations will be required to address the issue.
Cheok said Singapore would happily exchange technological knowledge with Thailand to tackle climate-related problems.