During 15-16 December 2019 H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Minister of Foreign Affairs, led a Thai delegation to attend the 14th Asia-Europe Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (ASEM FMM14) in Madrid, Spain. The meeting was hosted by Spain under the theme “Revitalising the multilateral system – advancing the ASEM partnership on global issues”.

In the first Plenary meeting under the theme “Revitalising the multilateral system – advancing the ASEM partnership on global issues”, the Minister of Foreign Affairs delivered his intervention to the assembly of Ministers of Foreign Affairs from ASEM partners, emphasing the importance of a partnership between Asia and Europe in order to promote effective multilateral approach through 4 proposals as followed:

(1) ASEM should send out clear message that all ASEM partners will work to reinforce and strengthe multilateral mechanism;

(2) ASEM must continue to work on buildiing trust on the basis of the principles of “3Ms”, namely, mutual confidence, mutual respect, and mutual interests amidst the global trust deficit. It is time for ASEM to give serious thought to revitalising the ASEM process so that the dialogues and exchanges truly produce results that matter most to the people;

(3) ASEM should promote implementation of the Sustainability of Things in order to achieve the Sustainable Development Agenda 2030 at the earliest opportunity. This year, Thailand hosted seminars on marine debris, marine sustainability, and enhancing human capital for sustainable digital connectivity. The Minister of Foreign Affairs also pledged to host an ASEM Youth Camp on Marine Sustainability and ASEM Seminar on Public Health Emergencies next year;

(4) ASEM should ensure that the people, especially women and youth, continue to be included, because all stakeholders are crucial to the success of sustainable peace and development. 

In addition, the Minister of Foreign Affairs exchanged views with other Ministers of Foreign Affairs on global issues during the Retreat session. The meeting stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation and interactions between Asia and Europe in every direction, on the basis of multilateralism and a rules-based international order, to address common challenges on regional and global levels.

In addition to attending ASEM FMM14, the Minister of Foreign Affairs had bilateral meetings with Ministers of Foreign Affairs from the European Union, Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Ireland, Bulgaria, Hungary, and Kazakhstan. During the bilateral meetings with European Foreign Ministers, the Foreign Minister stressed the need to be forward looking and to mutually strengthen the dynamism of the relations, particularly in the area of economic cooperation through the resumption of the Free Trade Agreement negotiations between Thailand and the EU.