MINSK, 16 July (BelTA) – Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus Maksim Ryzhenkov has made his first official visit to the Kingdom of Thailand, the press service of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs told BelTA.
“This historic visit has opened new horizons for strengthening bilateral cooperation in the political, economic, and humanitarian areas,” the press service stated.
During the visit, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the governments of the two countries to establish the Belarus-Thailand committee on trade and economic cooperation.
This committee will provide an institutional framework for regular dialogue on trade, economic, humanitarian, and other areas of mutual interest. It will also serve as an intergovernmental mechanism to coordinate and monitor the implementation of agreements reached.
Maksim Ryzhenkov held talks with President of Thailand’s National Assembly Wan Muhamad Noor Matha. The talks focused on developing trade relations, geopolitical instability, and the need for joint efforts to address challenges facing the international trade system.
Maksim Ryzhenkov emphasized the historical significance of the visit, highlighting Thailand’s strategic potential as a reliable partner for Belarus in Southeast Asia. In order to strengthen interparliamentary cooperation, he delivered an official invitation to visit Belarus on behalf of Igor Sergeyenko, Chairman of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus. The minister also proposed the establishment of parliamentary friendship groups in both countries.
In turn, Wan Muhamad Noor Matha reaffirmed the previously extended invitation to the chairman of the House of Representatives and expressed his readiness to visit Belarus. He pledged his support for the formation of a friendship group and the development of Belarus-Thailand relations at the legislative level.
The parties expressed interest in the early signing of agreements on the visa waiver and the establishment of direct air services.
Wan Muhamad Noor Matha welcomed the signing of the memorandum to the Belarus-Thailand committee on trade and economic cooperation as an important step toward a free trade agreement between the EAEU and Thailand.
During talks with Foreign Minister of Thailand Maris Sangiampongsa, the parties focused on practical cooperation in business and humanitarian engagement.
Maksim Ryzhenkov invited Maris Sangiampongsa to visit Belarus and received confirmation that the minister intends to do so in the near future.
The meeting covered practical measures ranging from agreements on the visa waiver and the launch of direct air service to joint efforts on a comprehensive free trade agreement. The Thai side expressed readiness to finalize the visa waiver and air transport projects for signing in the near future.
The meeting also discussed investment cooperation, food security, including exchange of expertise in dairy and meat livestock farming, and mutual trade supplies: agricultural machinery, equipment, and food products from Belarus; fruits, vegetables, nuts, textiles, and rubber from Thailand.
In order to provide a more detailed overview of Belarusian industrial capabilities, Maksim Ryzhenkov invited the Thai delegation to participate in the Belagro exhibition.
Maris Sangiampongsa suggested that the Belarus-Thailand committee be chaired by the foreign ministers of both countries, which would enhance the effectiveness of this mechanism.
He also expressed the readiness of Thailand to support deeper engagement between Belarus and ASEAN.
During a meeting with Thai Deputy Minister of Commerce Chantawit Tantasith, the parties emphasized the fundamental role of economic dialogue. Maksim Ryzhenkov stressed the importance of launching the Belarus-Thailand committee without delay. The Thai side, in turn, expressed interest in removing trade barriers, expanding partnerships, and highlighted the complementarity of the two countries’ economies.
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