Strategic Partnership with Thailand
The Hon. Scott Morrison MP Prime Minister
13 November 2020
Australia has a longstanding friendship with Thailand, stretching back to the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1952.
Today, with my Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, I have elevated our relationship to that of a Strategic Partnership.
In view of the evolving strategic shifts in the region, through this Strategic Partnership we will enhance cooperation in key areas, including defence and security, cyber affairs, anti-money laundering and combating transnational crime.
This historic announcement delivers on a joint commitment that Prime Minister Prayut and I made at the East Asia Summit last year in Bangkok.
Ahead of tomorrow’s East Asia Summit, hosted by Vietnam in virtual format, today’s announcement will strengthen our engagement on economic recovery, political and security cooperation, and in the Mekong.
Thailand is a top-10 trading partner and a natural leader within ASEAN. Our trading relationship will grow even more important as both countries recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
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