H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, is scheduled to visit the Swiss Confederation, the Italian Republic and the Kingdom of Belgium during 28 February – 6 March 2018. Following the 37th Session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Swiss Confederation on 28 February 2018, the Minister of Foreign Affairs is scheduled to pay a visit to the Italian Republic during 1 – 2 March 2018 and to the Kingdom of Belgium during 4 – 6 March 2018. 

 

The visit to the Italian Republic and the Kingdom of Belgium of the Minister of Foreign Affairs marks the first bilateral visit to the EU Member Countries since the Foreign Affairs Council’s (FAC) conclusion on Thailand on 11 December 2017. 

 

During the visit in Italy, which coincides with the celebration of the 150th  anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and the Italian Republic this year, the Minister of Foreign Affairs will have  a bilateral meeting with the Honorable Angelino Alfano, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. The aim of the visit is to follow up the initiatives agreed upon by both sides during the visit to Thailand of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Italian Republic during 8 – 9 February 2018. Topics to be discussed between the Thai and Italian Foreign Ministers include the reactivation of the Joint Committee at the ministerial level, the setting up of working groups under the Joint Commission (JC), the enhancement of trade and investment, particularly in the areas complementary to Thailand 4.0 policy and the development of the EEC,  and SMEs cooperation.

 

On this occasion, the Minister of Foreign Affairs is also scheduled to visit the Kingdom of Belgium during 4 – 6 March 2018 for a bilateral meeting with H.E. Mr. Didier Reynders, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Affairs of the Kingdom of Belgium, on 5 March 2018. Various bilateral issues, such as the enhancement of trade and investment, STI cooperation, the commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Treaty of Friendship and Commerce between Siam and the Kingdom of Belgium, and possible trilateral cooperation. International issues such as the situation in Myanmar, ASEAN – EU relations, will also be discussed. 

 

During this visit, the Minister of Foreign Affairs will also have meetings with H.E. Mr. Neven Mimica, European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development and H.E. Mr. Karmenu Vella, European Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries to enhance relations between Thailand and the EU on the issues of economic development, sustainable development and tripartite cooperation, the progress of Thai fisheries reforms and combatting against the Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU), ASEAN – EU relations as well as Thailand and regional issues.