Messages of the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister on 60 Years of Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Thailand and Pakistan

Prime Minister Mr. Yusuf Raza Gilani and Foreign Minister Ms. Hina Rabbani Khar, have sent messages to the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Thailand on the occasion of 60 years of establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Thailand. The messages reiterate the strong bonds of friendship and cooperation between the two countries and express the resolve to carry forward the relations from strength to strength. The messages sent by the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister of Pakistan are reproduced below:-

Message of Prime Minister, Yusuf Raza Gilani

Excellency,

On the auspicious occasion of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Thailand, I have great pleasure in conveying, on behalf of the government and people of Pakistan, and on my own behalf, our cordial greetings and warm felicitations to the government and people of Thailand.

The diplomatic journey that Pakistan and Thailand have traversed together is six-decades old now. But, on the civilizational journey, we have been together for over two thousand years. Pakistan has proudly preserved and promoted the Gandhara heritage that forms an immutable bond between our two countries and peoples. This cultural connection will always be a central pillar of our relationship.

Over the past sixty years, Pakistan and Thailand have developed bilateral relations on the basis of cordiality, mutual trust and understanding, and close cooperation. The highest point of our shared history ahs been the landmark state visit of Their Majesties King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit to Pakistan in 1962 and it continues to serve as beacon of light for the future.

As our political ties have deepened in the past decades, so has our trade and commercial collaboration expanded appreciably. Today, our multifaceted relations encompass diverse areas – from security to education to science & technology.

Located strategically in their respective regions, Pakistan and Thailand have also made significant contributions in these years to the promotion of peace, progress and prosperity. Through intensified mutual collaboration, both countries can advance shared objectives like regional connectivity and trans-regional development cooperation. Indeed, within the framework of Pakistan’s “Vision East Asia” policy and Thailand’s “Look West” policy, which are complementary and mutually-reinforcing, we can forge win-win-cooperation on the vast opportunities before us.

With flourishing bilateral ties and convergent regional strategies, Pakistan and Thailand are well-placed to build a strong partnership that helps advance the cause of peace and security as well as economic well-being of the people of our two countries and the region. I look forward to working with Your Excellency to promote this vision of our bilateral relationship in the years to come.

Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.

( Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani )

Her Excellency,
Ms. Yingluck Shinawatra,
Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand,
Bangkok

Message of Foreign Minister, Ms. Hina Rabbani Khar

Excellency,

It gives a great pleasure and privilege for me to convey our sincere and heart-felt felicitations on the auspicious and joyous occasion of the 60th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Thailand.

The Pakistan-Thailand relationship is rooted deep in history and culture and has always been marked by cordiality and close cooperation. In the sixty years since establishing diplomatic ties, our two countries have collaborated fruitfully, both on the bilateral as well as regional plane. We have also worked closely in the multilateral fora to promote shared ideals and objectives.

It is gratifying that bilateral cooperation continues to grow steadily and encompass myriad fields – including political, trade investment, commercial, security, education, science & technology, culture and people-to-people contacts. Regionally our collaboration on issues of common interest continues to strengthen at the bilateral level as well as within the framework of ASEAN.

As we look to the future, we have no doubt that this journey of friendship between our two nations will lead to a strong partnership of mutual benefit in all areas. Both countries possess the requisite political will to move in that direction and our respective “Vision East Asia” and “Look West” provide a complementary framework for such a transformation.

I wish to take this opportunity to reassure Your Excellency of our commitment to work together in the years ahead for the realization of this common objective and for building a Pakistan-Thailand partnership that serves our two nations as well as the cause of progress and prosperity in the region and beyond.

Please accept, Excellency, the assurance of my highest consideration.

( Hina Rabbani Khar )

His Excellency,
Mr. Surapong Tovichakchaikul,
Minister for Foreign Affairs,
of the Kingdom of Thailand,
Bangkok

Islamabad
11 October 2011

298/2011