Director-General of the Department of European Affairs and Deputy Managing Director for Asia Pacific, European External Action Service (EEAS) co-chaired the 15th Thai-European Union Senior Officials’ Meeting. Both parties committed to moving forward bilateral relations and concrete cooperation on security, IUU fishing, labour, environment, connectivity, and expediting the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) as well as the resumption of Free Trade Area (FTA) negotiations.

On 28 October 2020, Mr. Sasiwat Wongsinsawat, Director-General of the Department of European Affairs, and Ms. Paola Pampaloni, Deputy Managing Director for Asia Pacific, European External Action Service (EEAS), co-chaired the 15th Thai-European Union Senior Officials’ Meeting via video conference. High-level representatives from the line agencies in Bangkok and Brussels also took part.

Thailand proposed the establishment of a Thai-EU Security Dialogue mechanism, which covers three main areas: counterterrorism, maritime security, and cybersecurity. This mechanism was a result of the discussion between the Prime Minister of Thailand and the then HR/VP Federica Mogherini in Thailand last year. Both sides also reaffirmed their commitment to advancing and deepening bilateral relations, and to working closely to conclude the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) soon as well as expedite the resumption of Free Trade Area (FTA) negotiations.

Apart from engagement on trade and investment, Thailand could also benefit from cooperation with the EU on Standards, where the EU is advanced on many fronts. Doing so will assist to raise standards in Thailand to internationally-recognised levels. In this regard, Thailand has discussed cooperations in various areas including (1) combatting IUU fishing at the regional level; (2) improving forest law enforcement , governance and trade through the FLEGT-VPA dialogue framework; (3) promoting labour rights in the fishing industry at the ASEAN level; (4) taking climate action , especially on projects related to GHG emissions reduction, and the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which will complement Thailand’s efforts to achieve its environmental goals under the 20-Year National Strategy Framework; (5) exchanging geo-space intelligence with the EU's Copernicus Programme with a view to developing a more accurate and timely PM 2.5 early warning system; and (6) undertaking capacity building in the area of Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) . On regional and global issues, both sides agreed to promote ocean governance, inter-regional connectivity, and sustainable development.

In light of the global health crisis posed by the outbreak of COVID-19, Thailand and the EU reiterated their support to enhancing close cooperation, particularly with respect to treatments and vaccines. On this note, the EU congratulated Thailand on its success in containing the virus and underlined the importance of building back a progressive and resilient post-COVID economy driven by green policies and a digital transition to ensure sustainable growth and enhanced capacity to withstand future crises.

The EU appreciated Thailand for its support in upgrading ASEAN-EU relations to a strategic partnership, with the readiness to work with the EU on sustainable development projects through the ASEAN Centre for Sustainable Development Studies and Dialogue (ACSDSD). EU officials expressed their appreciation and readiness to strengthen and broaden cooperation with Thailand in all areas of common interest.

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