On 27 September 2018, Mr. Sasiwat Wongsinsawat, Director-General of the Department of European Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, and Ms. Paola Pampaloni, Deputy Managing Director for Asia and Pacific, the European External Action Service, co-chaired the 13th Thai - European Union Senior Officials’ Meeting with participation from the representatives of the Thai competent authorities and the Delegation of the European Union in Thailand.

          The meeting focused on forward-looking cooperation to create more dynamism in all aspects of Thai - EU relations. Both sides exchanged views on Thai - EU bilateral relations, encompassing political, economic, trade, investment, development, as well as science and technology cooperation. This is in line with Thailand’s development and reform policy under the 20-year national strategy framework and Thailand 4.0 policy. Developments in Thai - EU on-going dialogues such as the combatting against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, labour issues, civil aviation and the Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) were also discussed.

          Both sides shared their views on regional cooperation. The Thai side updated the EU on its role as Ayeyawady – Chao Phraya – Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) Chair, especially on the initiative to set up the 5-year ACMECS Master Plan (2019-2023) and the establishment of the ACMECS Fund, which the EU could join as a partner for development as well as Thailand’s role as ASEAN Chair in 2019. The trilateral cooperation and the connectivity under ASEM framework were also discussed.

          In addition, Thailand and the EU agreed to promote cooperation on international issues, such as the partnership for sustainable development, promoting the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy as a way to achieve sustainable development, regional connectivity, maritime security, and cooperation on climate change. Thailand confirmed its readiness to cooperate with the EU on multilateralism and the rule-based order.

          During this occasion, the Thai side reiterated its commitment to progress in line with the Roadmap towards a genuine and sustainable democracy, social reconciliation and the general election. The positive developments in the promotion and protection of human rights in Thailand were also mentioned. The EU side expressed their appreciation upon hearing of the latest developments in Thailand and also voiced their hope that the general election would be held in accordance with the Roadmap.

          The meeting acknowledged the result of the 13th EU - Thailand Working Group on Trade and Investment which was held in Bangkok on 2 July 2018. 

          The 14th Thai-European Union Senior Officials’ Meeting will be held in 2019 in Brussels, Belgium.