On 16 March 2015, H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, and H.E. Mr. Jesús Miguel Sanz Escorihuela, Ambassador and Head of the European Union (EU) delegation to Thailand, discussed Thai-EU relations and Thailand’s progress on combating human trafficking and Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing.

                   The Deputy Foreign Minister reaffirmed the Government’s strong commitment to address the persistent problems in Thailand’s fisheries industry. This is the first administration to seriously and urgently tackle the IUU fishing and inclusively engage with all stakeholders. Highlights among the many tangible developments are the revision of the fisheries law which will enter into force in early April this year and the installation of the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) in all Thai-flagged fishing vessels. The Deputy Foreign Minister also impressed upon the EU to fairly take into account all efforts and progress made by this Government in light of the longstanding Thai-EU relations. He also expressed Thailand’s readiness to work with the EU to combat IUU fishing.  

                   The Head of the EU Delegation acknowledged the determination and actions of the Thai Government in combating IUU fishing and encouraged closer cooperation between relevant Thai agencies and the EU Maritime Affairs and Fisheries.