IN a phone call with Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra today (June 27) French President Emmanuel Macron lent support to Thailand’s crackdown on call centre gangs and agreed to consider coordinating with Cambodia on the tension along the Thai-Cambodian border, Amarin TV said.
Mr. Jirayu Huangtra, the Prime Minister’s spokesman, said the two leaders were pleased to hold their first official conversation, with Paetongtarn confirming intention to elevate Thai-French relationship to a strategic partnership level as soon as possible.
She invited Macron to visit Thailand next year while attending a summit of the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie in Cambodia and he in turn invited her to attend the Paris Peace Forum.
Amid the current global political and economic uncertainty France said it aims to expand cooperation with Thailand, especially in the area of security and space technology.
Macron also said France is ready to support Thailand’s proactive measures to combat transnational crime, especially call centre gangs and cybercrime, with Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) having a central role in this effort.
Regarding the Thai-Cambodian border situation, Paetongtarn emphasised that Thailand adheres to the principle of resolving problems peacefully, honestly, on the basis of friendship between neighbouring countries, unity within Asean, and the principles of international law.
She also mentioned that she believes bilateral negotiations, with talks ongoing through Joint Boundary Committee (JBC), are the most effective way to find constructive and mutually beneficial solution and called for France’s support to ensure that these talks proceed smoothly.
Macron said he will consider coordinating with Cambodia.
CAPTION:
French President Emmanuel Macron, left, and Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, right. Photo: Amarin TV
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