H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand had a bilateral meeting with H.E. Mr. Stef Blok, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, in The Hague during his official visit to the Kingdom of the Netherlands during 6 – 7 February 2019. This was the first bilateral visit by a Thai foreign minister in over a decade. Thailand has enjoyed diplomatic relations with the Netherlands for 415 years, which is the longest among Western European countries. 

 

The bilateral discussion between the two Foreign Ministers reflected both sides’ intent to build a productive relationship, based on common interest. Both sides welcomed the important high-level interactions over the past year, particularly the meeting between the Thai and the Dutch Prime Minister. This meeting, held in October 2018 on the margins of the 12th Asia – Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit in Brussels, paved the way for an enhanced cooperation framework between the two countries. With respect to the framework of Political Consultation as decided by the two Prime Ministers, both sides agreed that the framework would be a useful platform to promote and review bilateral cooperation and that the Political Consultation should be held at the appropriate policy-making level.  

 

Both sides discussed a wide range of existing bilateral cooperation, including food and agriculture, water management, and logistics, and explored possible avenues to expand cooperation to other areas. 

 

Highlighting potential investment opportunities in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), Thailand invited the Netherlands to consider boosting trade and investment in sectors of the Netherlands’ expertise, including logistics development.  

 

On regional and global issues, Thailand welcomed the Netherlands’ interest in broadening engagement in the Ayeyawady – Chao Phraya – Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) framework and tripartite cooperation. Both sides also exchanged views on such topics as ASEAN’s cooperation with external partners, security, and the situation in Rakhine State. 

 

The Netherlands welcomed the announcement of general elections in Thailand and the progress made towards sustainable democracy. Thailand expressed appreciation to the Netherlands for its continued support in this process.