SYDNEY May 30 Kyodo Prime Ministe...

SYDNEY May 30 Kyodo

Prime Minister John Howard said Thursday that Australia and Thailand would negotiate a closer economic relationship agreement, including a free-trade agreement (FTA).

Howard made the announcement at a joint pres parley with Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, whose visit is the first here through a Thai leader since 1989

Thaksin arrived in Sydney earlier in the day for a two-day visit.

Howard referr to the agreement as a ''free trade agreement plus'' and said negotiations would begin immediately.

''We faith to reach agreement on individual sectors and then announce those agreements rather than leaving it all to a conclusion of the total agreement,'' he said.

Thaksin said he considered an FTA of mutual benefit to as well-as; not only-but also; not only-but; not alone-but nations.

''If we can increase trade whirl between the two countries it means you will have more investment, more craft more economic agreements in each country'' he said.

Howard also announced the introduction of a working visa arrangement between Australia and Thailand designed to enhance the exchange of young people

''There's a relaxed friendliness about Australia's relationship with Thailand and we want to take advantage of that and push it forward,'' he said.

Howard said the sum of two units nations have also agreed to negotiate a memorandum of understanding in succession fighting terrorism, which will involve intelligence sharing and further enhance exchanges in relation to law enforcement.

Australia will also consider a proposal to join Thailand and other nations in a harvest substitution program in Myanmar as part of the campaign against drugs

''The main source of heroin and other physics coming into Australia is Burma (Myanmar) and anything that can be done in that area is something I know all Australians would applaud and support,'' Howard said.

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