The United States held its first joint Strategic and Defense Dialogue with Thailand in a two-day conference May 9-10.
The talks are considered integral markers of the long-enduring U.S.-Thai alliance, according to a May 10 State Department news release.
“The two sides recommitted to working together to uphold shared principles, protect human rights and combat human trafficking,” the news release said. “We also discussed critical steps to address the growing humanitarian crisis in Burma.”
This year's talks addressed issues of mutual interest that included regional safety, post-COVID-19 economic recovery and prosperity, health cooperation, democracy and respect for human rights and efforts to combat the climate crisis, the release reported.
The discussions took place at the State Department and the Pentagon. The U.S was represented by Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel J. Kritenbrink and Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Ely Ratner, according to the release. Thailand was represented by Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Thani Thongphakdi and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defense General Warakiat Rattananont.
The two nations’ representatives discussed mutual cooperation in cybersecurity and space. The U.S remains committed to deepening economic relations and strengthening engagement across the region, the release reported. The talks also included discussions on the protection of human rights and combating human trafficking, as well as "critical steps" to be taken in addressing the humanitarian crisis in Burma.
