当晚，奥巴马与泰国总理英拉在泰国总理府进行会谈，双方就加强两国战略合作、促进本地区稳定与发展，泰国参加《跨太平洋(601099,股吧)战略经济伙伴协定》(TPP)谈判，以及合作打击人口贩卖、保护知识产权等双边以及地区问题进行了讨论。奥巴马将于19日前往缅甸访问，随后前往柬埔寨金边参加东亚峰会。
U.S. President Barack Obama and Thailand's Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra traded mutualassurances of cooperation and friendship at a state dinner in Bangkok on Sunday.
"We will continue to build on a strong foundation in expanding our trade and investment topromote growth and create jobs. The world is changing fast, and only through trust, partnershipcan we ensure peace and prosperity for both nations." Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatrasaid.
Thailand is Obama's first stop as he swings through Asia in his first post-election trek abroad that'sintended to show he is serious about shifting the U.S. strategic focus eastwards. Obama, who wasborn in Hawaii and spent part of his youth in Indonesia, has called himself America's first "Pacificpresident".
"Everything that I've felt -- your dignity, your resilience, your friendship, your warmth -- that is thefoundation of our alliance. It's why you were the first Asian nation to reach out to America afterwe won our independence. It's why in Asia, to this day, we can say Thailand is our oldest friend. And we are extraordinarily proud of that friendship, and we are especially pleased to see theexcellent leadership that, Madam Prime Minister, you are providing as you continue this country'spath of democracy, freedom and development," Obama said.
The U.S. administration regards Thailand as a key ally for advancing the "Asia pivot" that Obamaannounced last year with an eye to an increasingly assertive China.
At a joint news conference with Obama, Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra announcedThailand would join talks on deeper trade ties with the United States and other countries under theTrans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).
Obama's next stop is Myanmar - marking the first time a serving U.S. president has visited thecountry.
White House officials have said Obama would press Myanmar's leaders to restore calm to thewestern part of their country and bring instigators of ethnic violence there to justice.
A visit to Cambodia will cap the president's whirlwind Asia tour.
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