RP and Thailand boost trade

RP and Thailand boost trade

MANILA (AFP): Thailand and the Philippines said on Sunday they had agreed to boost trade and to cooperate in the fight against crime as part of ongoing attempts to strengthen ties.

Philippines foreign secretary Domingo Siazon and Thai counterpart Surin Pitsuwan said the agreements would be signed in the near future -- perhaps as early as November.

Surin is accompanying Thai Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai on a three-day official visit to strengthen bilateral relations and celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties which began on Sunday.

The new cooperation includes an agreement to raise bilateral trade, a memorandum of understanding on a joint response to oil spills, as well as mutual legal assistance on criminal matters and the transfer of sentenced criminal offenders.

The agreements on criminal matters are designed to strengthen an existing extradition treaty.