Reply Remarks by His Excellency Thaksin Shinawatra Prime Minister of Thailand |
Malacanang Palace, Manila (08 Sept 2003) |
| Your Excellency President
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, Thank you very much, Your Excellency, for your very kind words of welcome and for hosting this wonderful luncheon for me and the members of my delegation. I wish also to take this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation to the Government and the people of the Philippines for the warm hospitality accorded to us all ever since our arrival in Manila. I very much look forward to returning Your Excellency's kind hospitality at the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Bangkok next month. Your Excellency, The fact that this is already my second visit to the Philippines since I took office two years ago reflects the strong bonds of friendship between our two countries. It is a source of great pride for both our peoples that the Philippines was the first country in Southeast Asia with whom Thailand established diplomatic relations. Since then, for more than half a century, the Philippines and Thailand have enjoyed very close and cordial relations. Fifty-four years later, I am happy to note that our relations have gone from strength to strength, and have matured into one of close friendship and partnership. Over forty years ago, our shared security concerns led us to join with other countries, through the Manila Pact, in forming SEATO, the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization. In 1967, we again joined together as co-founders of ASEAN. Through our bilateral cooperation and positive interactions in various regional and international fora, our partnership continues to grow in the modern times. The transfer of the OV-10 aircraft from the Royal Thai Air Force to the Philippine Air Force is the most recent concrete example of our strong partnership. In particular, the hand-over ceremony of the initial four OV-10 aircraft this afternoon symbolizes the spirit of goodwill and close-cooperation between our two governments. On bilateral trade, last year the volume of trade reached approximately 204 billion pesos. Which was the target set by your excellency and myself during my visit 2 years ago. This year's figures shows very positive signs. It has gone up by 30 percent compared with the some period in 2002. In Tokyo, I was touched by your words of praise about Thailand's economic and social policies which you kindly dubbed Thaksinomics and since then has been used. I also admire your vision and determination to look for policies, ways and means to bring economic prosperity and security to the people of the Philippines. Your Excellency, This visit, though rather brief, has been both memorable and fruitful. Just before the luncheon, we had a very useful and productive discussion on numerous issues of common interests and concerns. We also witnessed the signing of the Renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the Development of Cooperation between Philippine and Thai Companies through the Philippines-Thailand Business Council-Thailand-Philippines Business Council. Let us hope that such cooperation will spur greater interaction between our respective private sectors for the mutual interests of both sides. From our discussion, all I can say is that Your Excellency and I clearly share the same vision. This is confirmed by your State of the Nation Address on 28 July, in which you declared war against terrorism, poverty, corruption and drugs as well as pledging to continue your endeavors to bring a betterment to the people of the Philippines. This, I believe, must be the commitment of any leader in the modern world. That is why I am truly honoured to be invited to speak on what you call "Thaksinomics". I am glad to have the opportunity to share Thailand's experience in economic recovery to our friends in the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Philippine-Thailand Business Council as well as the Filipino people in general. I certainly hope that it will be useful to you on your path to greater prosperity and well-being. Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, May I now invite you all to raise glasses and join me in a toast: - to the continued good health and success of Her Excellency President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo; - to peace, security and prosperity in the Philippines; and - to the everlasting friendly relations between our two countries and peoples. Mabuhay. |