Pope thanks Thailand for supporting Christianity

VATICAN CITY, September 13 (TNA) - Pope Francis has expressed his gratitude towards Thailand for supporting the affairs of Christianity and urged the country to guarantee human rights and help the poor. Visiting Thai Prime Minister and Defence Minister Yingluck Shinawatra referred to the message from the Pope, after she was granted an audience with him at the Vatican City on Thursday (local time). Yingluck told journalists she informed the Pope that Christianity has always helped the poor and the Thai government is determined to support Christianity in Thailand, promising as well that her government will follow the Pope’s advice. According to the Thai prime minister, the Pope also thanked the Thai government for supporting the education of Christianity in Thailand, as it has produced quality personnel. Yingluck acknowledged that she invited the Pope to visit Thailand during his trip to the Philippines in the near future. Referring to her recent talks with her Italian counterpart Enrico Letta, the Thai prime minister noted that the Italian leader wants to see the conclusion of a free trade agreement (FTA) between the 27-member European Union (EU) and Thailand by the end of 2014 and Thailand and Italy agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation on investment, especially in the food and fashion sectors, where Thailand has plenty of raw materials and Italy can apply its technologies and designs to reach the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) bloc. The Thai prime minister is in the middle of her trip to Europe, scheduled for September 8-15, covering her official visits to Switzerland, Italy, the Vatican City and Montenegro. (TNA)