News:
Prime Minister Ardern and Prime Minister Prayut discussed New Zealand’s APEC host year, and the importance of the upcoming Leaders’ Meeting in setting the agenda for sustainable, inclusive, and digitally-driven growth in the Asia Pacific region. Prime Minister Ardern expressed support for Thailand as incoming Chair of APEC for 2022.
The two leaders provided updates on COVID-19 impacts in each country, underscoring a mutual commitment to reconnect and reinvigorate strong people-to-people, education, and trade links. Both Prime Ministers acknowledged the strength of the bilateral trading relationship, and celebrated progress on ratification of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement as an important enabler of trade recovery.
They further noted that this year marks 65 years of diplomatic relations between New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand, and recalled the constructive and warm nature of our bilateral ties.
Acknowledging Thailand’s role as a neighbour and ASEAN member, Prime Minister Ardern asked what more the international community can do to support progress on the Five-Point Consensus on Myanmar.