Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Thai Deputy PM and FM Don Pramudwinai before their meeting

F.P. Report

BANGKOK: Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State has said that Let me just say very quickly, great meeting everyone, and I really want to commend Thailand and the Thai foreign minister for very successfully hosting APEC both today but also throughout this year – a challenging year, but Thailand did a remarkable job.  And I think together we’ve found ways to continue to advance sustainable economic growth for everyone in our region coming off of COVID, dealing with the many challenges to growth, including energy and food prices, which are of course exacerbated by the Russian aggression against Ukraine.

We have an enduring partnership between the United States and Thailand.  We’ll celebrate our 190th anniversary next year of our diplomatic relations.  Our trade relations are strong.  And of course it was a noteworthy year in U.S.-Thai relations – the communiqué that we signed (inaudible) and the launch of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, cooperation in the Mekong, and we’ve partnered on difficult issues.

And I know that Vice President Harris very much looks forward to being here.  She is arriving this evening and we’re grateful to you for hosting her as well.  Thank you.