TOP > What's up around the Prime Minister > April, 2007

Japan-Thailand Summit Meeting Tuesday, April 3, 2007 JAPANESE Click photographs to enlarge Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held a meeting with General Surayut Chulanont, the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, at the Prime Minister's Official Residence. At the beginning, Prime Minister Abe said, "It is my great pleasure to welcome Prime Minister Surayut this year as we celebrate the 120th anniversary of friendly relations between Thailand and Japan. I would like to take the opportunity provided by the Prime Minister's visit to Japan to achieve further development of our countries." At the meeting, the two leaders finalized the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) on which Japan and Thailand had been negotiating for conclusion, and signed the agreement after the meeting. Afterwards, looking at an original copy of the Declaration of Amity and Commerce between Japan and Siam signed 120 years ago in 1887 that had been brought to the signing ceremony, Prime Minister Abe said, "Thailand and Japan are entering a new era. I am delighted to welcome Prime Minister Surayut at this pivotal point in time."