U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Stilwell Visits Thailand
U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs David R. Stilwell arrived in Bangkok on November 1, 2019 to begin a four-day visit of bilateral meetings with Thai government officials and civil society organizations, as well as bilateral and multilateral meetings with regional partners on the margins of the East Asia Summit.
On November 3 and 4, Assistant Secretary Stilwell will join National Security Advisor Robert C. O’Brien, who has been named by President Trump as Special Envoy and the head of the U.S. delegations to the 7th U.S.-ASEAN Summit and the East Asia Summit.
Additionally, Assistant Secretary Stilwell will join U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross at the second annual Indo-Pacific Business Forum on November 4.
In his meetings with Thai officials, Assistant Secretary Stilwell will discuss the broad and growing relationship between the two countries, including U.S.-Thai security cooperation, expanding economic ties, promoting democratic governance and furthering cultural and educational exchanges. Assistant Secretary Stilwell will also reiterate ASEAN centrality as a core tenet of a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Assistant Secretary Stilwell noted: “I am pleased to return to Thailand for the third time this year to attend the U.S.-ASEAN and East Asia Summits, the Indo-Pacific Business Forum, and to engage with our ASEAN partners. Our treaty alliance with Thailand and close partnerships across Southeast Asia remain key pillars of the United States’ commitment to the Indo-Pacific.”
