On 22 August 2018, H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, held a bilateral meeting with H.E. Mr. Heiko Maas, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany. Both sides attached great importance to strengthen bilateral relations and cooperation, especially in the economic sector. The Thai Foreign Minister invited Germany, as Thailand’s biggest trading partner and investor among the European Union countries, to invest in large-scale projects in Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) focusing on infrastructure development in the EEC which is aimed to serve as a regional connectivity hub. The Thai Foreign Minister was pleased to learn from Foreign Minister Maas that more than 600 German companies have conducted businesses in Thailand, some of which have already invested in the EEC and some that have shown keen interest to expand their investments further.

          Both sides agreed to strengthen regional cooperation. As ASEAN Chair in 2019, Thailand will promote cooperation with partner countries, including Germany. As ASEAN’s Development Partner, Germany can engage and play an important role. Moreover, Thailand invited Germany to consider becoming ACMECS’ Development Partner which will enable Germany to initiate development cooperation directly with ACMECS member countries comprising Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam which are economically growing rapidly.

          Both sides also exchanged views on the promotion of peace and stability in the region as well as on the developments in the Rakhine State in Myanmar. Germany was interested in the role and experiences of Thailand in its engagement with Myanmar. To this, the Thai Foreign Minister responded that as neighbouring countries, Thailand’s relationship and assistance to Myanmar are based on trust. Thailand has rendered development assistance to the Rakhine State through various joint development cooperation projects with the Myanmar Government. German expertise in the area of development is welcomed as either in the bilateral or trilateral partnership.

          The Thai Foreign Minister informed his counterpart of Thailand’s political developments and reassured him of Thailand’s commitment to its Roadmap. Most recently, the newly-appointed Election Commission recently assumed its duty to prepare for the upcoming election. The Foreign Minister invited Foreign Minister Maas to visit Thailand to experience firsthand Thailand’s developments, progress, and stability.