President Benigno Aquino III addresses Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha. SCREENGRAB FROM RTV MALACAñANG
President Benigno Aquino III on Friday said he and Thai Prime Minsiter Prayut Chan-o-cha are working toward clinching deals that would allow more cooperation between the Philippines and Thailand on the issue of drug trafficking and education.
“Our two nations also committed to work towards the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Cooperation in Combating Illicit Trafficking in Narcotic Drugs, which reiterates our shared belief that our peoples must be protected from dangerous drugs,” Aquino said during his statement after an expanded bilateral meeting with Prayut in Malacañang.
Aquino explained that Philippine and Thai officials, if the agreement pushes through, will be able to coordinate operations and share information.
Both countries are also seeking to promote the exchange of teachers to “further enhance the capabilities and competencies of both our
“As regards fostering our people-to-people ties, both the Prime Minister and I recognize that education is of prime importance in developing the abilities of our peoples, so that they themselves may have the wherewithal to fulfill their aspirations for their families, their communities, and the future we share as brother nations. This is the principle behind our continued work towards the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on the Exchanges of Professional Teachers,” Aquino said.
Thailand is the Philippines’ eight largest trading partner in 2014, with bilateral trade reaching more than $5 billion.
Aquino explained that a number of Philippine companies have already invested in Thailand — San Miguel Corporation, Liwayway Food Industries Company Limited, Goldilocks, and Monde Nissin.
Meanwhile, the likes of Siam Cement Group, Charoen Pokphand Foods Philippines Corporation, and the Dusit International are among the Thai companies operating in the Philippines.
The President also noted that the Terms of Reference for the Working Group of the Philippine Army and Royal Thai Army was signed in April this year.
“The Prime Minister was instrumental in strengthening the partnership between our Armed Forces during his time as Chief of the Royal Thai Army, so too does he continue to work with us in order to forge the kind of defense relations that enables us to serve our peoples in a more holistic manner. We are confident that this agreement will further strengthen our defense and security cooperation for the welfare of our peoples and of our brothers in Asean,” Aquino said.
Prayut was elected prime minister in August last year, months after he launched a military coup against the government.
He arrived in the Philippines on Thursday evening and will be leaving on Friday afternoon. Kristine Angeli Sabillo/IDL
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