Rt Hon John Key
Prime Minister
18 March 2013 Media Statement
PM welcomes visit of Thailand PM
Prime Minister John Key will host Thailand’s Prime Minister, Yingluck Shinawatra when she visits New Zealand later this
week.
This is the first visit to New Zealand by Ms Shinawatra since becoming Prime Minister in 2011.
Mr Key says New Zealand’s relationship with Thailand is a close and warm one, and this visit underscores those close
ties and looks towards new areas of cooperation.
“Our two countries have common views on many issues and I look forward to having constructive discussions with Prime
Minister Yingluck.”
New Zealand and Thailand have shared interests in political, security, economic, education, science and technology and
development issues. This partnership is maintained through regular high-level political exchanges, and through strong
people-to-people links bolstered by strong Thai interest in New Zealand’s educational opportunities.
The two countries have a strong trade relationship, with goods’ trade doubling since the New Zealand/Thailand Closer
Economic Partnership Agreement was brought into force in 2005.
“I look forward to discussing with Prime Minister Yingluck opportunities to build on this. We welcome the inclusion of a
number of Thai business leaders in the visit delegation and hope that their time in New Zealand will contribute to
increased business linkages between Thailand and New Zealand.”
Prime Minister Yingluck arrives in Auckland on Friday 22 March for her three-day visit, where she will attend a business
luncheon before meeting with Mr Key at Government House for bilateral talks and an official dinner. During her visit
Prime Minister Yingluck will also have an opportunity to see New Zealand’s quality dairy systems.
ENDS