On Thursday, March 14, the First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Alexander Zhukov
Alexander Dmitrievich
held a meeting with
the President of the Senate of the National Assembly of the Kingdom of Thailand
Pornpetch Wichitcholchai at the State Duma.
Alexander Zhukov expressed confidence that the visit of Pornpetch Wichitcholchai would give new impetus to the cooperation between Russia and Thailand.
“Our countries have good relationship. It is based on the principles of mutual respect, trust, non-interference in the internal affairs and respect of the national interests,” said Alexander Zhukov.
According to him, this is very important in the context of the formation of a new multipolar world. “Our countries stand for a just world order and for ensuring regional stability and security,” he said.
Bilateral interaction at the highest level should be the example for joint work at all levels, including within the framework of inter-parliamentary cooperation, as added the First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma.
“Despite the serious opposition of Western countries and the United States of America, the State Duma is very actively developing inter-parliamentary cooperation,” said Alexander Zhukov. He emphasized that “Thailand, despite strong pressure, does not support the illegal anti-Russian sanctions.”
The President of the Senate of the National Assembly of Thailand said that the countries had a long history of cooperation. Regular bilateral visits demonstrate good relations between the leaders of the two countries, according to him.
“I would like to emphasize that the Senate of Thailand is ready for any cooperation with the State Duma, for establishing close relationship, mutual exchange of experience, further cooperation at both the bilateral and multilateral levels,” he said.
Bilateral cooperation
The Chairman of the Senate Committee of the National Assembly of the Kingdom of Thailand on Local Administration, Chairman of the Parliamentary Friendship Group on Cooperation with Russia Lertrat Ratanavanich said: “The number of joint projects — educational, humanitarian, military — with Russia has currently only increased. And I support the Russian servicemen and wish them strength.”
The meeting participants also paid special attention to the development of tourism. As Alexander Zhukov noted, Thailand “is one of the most popular tourist destinations for Russian people”.
“We also can make our own contribution to increase the number of tourists from both countries. For example, it would be very important for our tourists to use Mir cards in Thailand,” he said.
According to him, it would be also very important to trade using national currencies. “If we create such a system of mutual settlements, it will contribute to the development of our mutual trade in many areas,” said the First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma.
The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Thailand to the Russian Federation Sasiwat Wongsinsawat said: “Over the past year, more than 1.5 million Russian tourists visited the Kingdom of Thailand.” He also expressed hope that this number would grow.
