A Strategic Partnership Between Southeast Asia And The Middle East

[Jai Dee]

Thai and Bahraini Foreign Ministers support the building of a strategic partnership between Southeast Asia and the Middle East

Foreign Minister Kantathi Suphamongkhon, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand paid an official visit to Bahrain on 21-23 May 2006, prior to his participation in the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) in Doha.

During the visit, Mr. Kantathi was received in audience with H.H. Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al-Khalifa, Prime Minister of Bahrain, and met with Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Khalifa, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bahrain. The meeting was held in a cordial enviornment enabling both sides to exchange views and ideas on a wide range of issues in a friendly and candid manner - reflecting the use of "personal-touch diplomacy" for mutual benefits.

Mr. Kantathi emphasized the importance in forging cooperation in the areas of energy and finance - whereby ACD oil exporting member countries could reinvest its earnings in the region through, inter alia, the Asian Bonds.

Both sides reiterated the desire to further strengthen the relations between the two countries. Furthermore, the Bahraini Foreign Minister proposed that the Thai-Bahraini free trade agreement be restructured as a free trade agreement between Thailand and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCCC) countries.

In addition, both sides also discussed the Thai-Bahraini Cooperation in multi-lateral issues, whereby Bahrain reiterated its supports for Mr. Surakiart Sathirathai, Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand, in his race for the UN Secretary-General position.

The Bahraini Prime Minister will join other monarchs at the celebrations of the 60th Anniversary of His Majesty the King Bhumibol Adulyadej's accession to the throne in June 2006.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 24 May 2006

[sriracha john]

With all due deference to any of our Bahraini members and not wishing to shower on anyone's diplomatic pomp, but is there all that much to gain from a FTA with this small island nation that's worth too much hoopla?

From our friends at the CIA :

Bahrain Country Statistics

Area:

total: 665 sq km

land: 665 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Population:

698,585

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 2, FM 3

the use of "personal-touch diplomacy" for mutual benefits.

<deleted> is that????

oh wait... nevermind... just found another factoid to explain it:

Economy - overview:

Petroleum production and refining account for about 60% of Bahrain's export receipts

" I'll you for some rice if you me for some oil."