Iranian and Thai officials in a meeting in Tehran on Saturday underlined the two countries’ interest in the further development of bilateral relations and mutual cooperation, specially in the field of economy.

The meeting was held between Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and the new Thai ambassador to Iran on Saturday.

During the meeting, Rouhani said that the current international atmosphere needs cooperation among countries, and expressed the hope that the level of ties between the two countries would improve in the near future.

He also stressed Iran’s readiness to develop cooperation with Thailand, specially in economic fields and energy supply to Thailand.

The Thai envoy, for his part, reiterated his country’s resolve to elevate the level of relations with Iran in economic, political and cultural fields, and said, “It is important to us to have joint cooperation and investment with Iran, particularly in oil, gas, agricultural, heavy industries and banking sectors.”

Tehran and Bangkok have in recent years endeavored to promote relations and cooperation in different fields.

In September 2012, Thailand's Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul asked for the bolstering of trade ties and exchanges with Iran.

Speaking after a meeting with former Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi on the sidelines of the 16th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit in Tehran at the time, the Thai diplomat said at the meeting the two sides agreed to boost mutual trade exchanges in the near future.

The Thai minister said the two sides had agreed to expand trade relations and tourism cooperation, explaining that Thailand is due to barter rice for Iranian oil and gas.

Tovichakchaikul said he has convinced Iranian officials to boost barter trade with Thailand and increase purchase of Thai rice cargos.
 

News ID 186269