On 23 August 2018, H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand held a bilateral meeting with H.E. Mr. Timo Soini, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Finland. It was the first Foreign Ministers’ meeting between Thailand and Finland held in the past 22 years which marked a new chapter of the bilateral relations. Both Ministers agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in all areas, especially in economic field and partnership for development.

          The Thai Foreign Minister was pleased to learn of the successful visit to Thailand of H.E. Mr. Mika Lintilä, Minister of Economic Affairs of Finland, during 19-23 August 2018 together with a delegation of 18 Finnish companies from digital and energy sectors. The delegation met with relevant Thai Ministers and signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on digital technology which will serve as a concrete framework for future cooperation. The Foreign Minister also invited Finland to expand its investment in Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) in a number of sectors in addition to digital and energy. Both sides agreed that there are vast potential and opportunities for Thailand and Finland to intensify trade, investment, and tourism.

          Both Ministers exchanged views on various regional issues in Asia such as situation in the South China Sea and Myanmar’s Rakhine State as well as Thailand’s role as ASEAN Chair in 2019. On this occasion, the Thai Foreign Minister invited Finland to consider forging trilateral cooperation with Thailand or become ACMECS’ Development Partner which will enable Finland to directly engage with 5 ACMECS member countries in mainland Southeast Asia. Moreover, the two sides agreed to strengthen ASEAN-European Union (EU) relations and collaboration during Thailand’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2019 and Finland’s Presidency of the Council of the EU in the latter half of 2019.

          The Thai Foreign Minister informed his counterpart of Thailand’s political developments and the implementation of the Roadmap towards the holding of general elections in order to pave way for a sustainable democracy. He also expressed his appreciation for Finland’s commitment to protect the rights of Thai berry pickers who have contributed to the Finnish agricultural sector.