Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) from the Delegation for relations with the countries of Southeast Asia and ASEAN (DASE) and the Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI), led by Mr. Werner Langen, Chair of the DASE, are on a visit to Thailand from 16 to 19 May 2016.

On 16 May 2016, Mr. Langen, Chair of the DASE, together with two Vice Presidents, paid a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Virasakdi Futrakul, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of Thailand. Both sides discussed and exchanged views on political development in Thailand, the draft constitution, the national referendum, human rights situation, Thailand’s role in the region and the resumption of the Thai-EU FTA negotiations at the technical level.

On 17 May 2016, the MEP delegations met with Mr. Panyarak Poolthup, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, and senior officials. Both sides exchanged views on promoting bilateral relations between Thailand and the European Union (EU) in various dimensions. The Thai side also updated the delegation on the latest developments in Thailand's political situation, especially on the National Referendum of the draft constitution scheduled on 7 August 2016 leading toward a general election in 2017, as well as the progress made in combatting Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing (IUU Fishing). The MEPs acknowledged Thailand’s commitment and both sides reaffirmed their readiness to move forward in various fields of cooperation for mutual benefits, and shared the same view on the importance of the resumption of the Thai - EU Free Trade Agreement talks at the technical level which will pave the way for a conclusion of the Agreement.

Both sides also discussed ASEAN-EU relations by focusing on the role of Thailand as the Country Coordinator for ASEAN - EU Dialogue Relations to push forward concrete cooperation between ASEAN and the EU which would lead to the elevation of the ASEAN-EU relations to a strategic partnership.

After the meeting, the Deputy Permanent Secretary hosted a luncheon in honour of the MEPs. The luncheon was also attended by representatives of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Legislative Assembly of Thailand, the Constitution Drafting Committee, the Bank of Thailand, the Board of Investment and the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking.

During their visit, the MEPs also met with the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Legislative Assembly of Thailand and the Constitution Drafting Committee. The MEPs will also meet with high-level representatives of the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Labour, the European Association for Business and Commerce (EABC, as well as other relevant Thai stakeholders including political parties, NGOs, and academia. In addition, they are scheduled to visit an insect farm and facility processing insects for food and animal feed in Khon Kaen where the EU is providing know-how on European "novel food regulation" and on requirements for export to Europe. This programme has been arranged by the Delegation of the European Union to Thailand.

DASE is a group in the European Parliament responsible for relations with ASEAN and the ten Southeast Asia countries which are members of ASEAN (Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam). They follow developments in the respective countries and the entire region. Every year, members of DASE pay a visit to the countries in the region. The visit reflects continued engagement between Thailand and EU and the importance of Thailand’s leading role in moving forward ASEAN and the ASEAN – EU relations.