On 20 December 2018, Mr. Werner Langen, Member of the European Parliament (MEP) and Chair of the European Parliament's Delegation for Relations with the Countries of Southeast Asia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (DASE), accompanied by H.E. Mr. Pirkka Tapiola, Ambassador of the European Union to Thailand, led 8 DASE MEPs to pay a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Virasakdi Futrakul, Deputy Foreign Minister of Thailand, and met with the Thai senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs during the delegation’s official visit to Thailand during 19 - 21 December 2018, with the objectives to strengthen and to exchange views on Thai - European Union (EU) relations and other issues of mutual interest.

 

The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs highlighted the progress in political and economic development in Thailand and underlined that the Government had laid strong foundations for stability which would lead to a sustainable democracy in the future. He also emphasised Thailand’s active role in bridging Asia - Europe relations, by hosting the first Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in the country in 1996 and the promotion of international cooperation on sustainable development with a focus on marine sustainability. In 2017, Thailand hosted international meetings under the ASEAN and ASEM frameworks on marine debris management, and will host a high-level conference on maritime sustainability under the ASEM framework in 2019.

 

In addition, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs exchanged views with the DASE MEPs on Thailand’s priorities during its Chairmanship of ASEAN in 2019 and emphasised on the possible conclusion of Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) negotiations during its Chairmanship which the EU could be a partner of RCEP in the future; the establishment of the ASEAN Centre for Sustainable Development Studies and Dialogue (ACSDSD); the cooperation with the EU in development and connectivity under the ACMECS framework, and the increased cooperation in science, technology and innovation through the Horizon 2020 Programme. Furthermore, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs encouraged the European side to establish research and development (R&D) projects to support Thailand 4.0 policy, to enhance cooperation in human resources development in Thailand as well as sub-regional level to prepare for the digital economy and to expand cooperation in cyber security.

 

The DASE Delegation noted with satisfaction on the political and economic developments in Thailand and reiterated their cooperation and support. They also expressed hope that when Thailand assumes the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2019, the on-going Thai - EU and the ASEAN - EU relations would be strengthened. Moreover, they underscored the importance of the momentum of economic cooperation which could further lead to the negotiations of the Free Trade Agreement between Thailand and the EU, the signing of Thailand - EU Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA), and the active role of the EU as a strategic partnership with ASEAN in the future.

 

Apart from meeting with the representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the delegation also paid courtesy calls on the Chairman of the Election Commission, the President of the National Legislative Assembly and representatives from the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs of the National Legislative Assembly.