On 23 April 2019, H.E. Mr. Jean-Christophe Belliard, Deputy Secretary-General for Political Affairs of the European External Action Service, accompanied by H.E. Mr. Pirkka Tapiola, Ambassador of the European Union to Thailand, paid a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Virasakdi Futrakul, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, during his visit to Thailand on 23 – 24 April 2019, to promote bilateral relations between Thailand and the European Union (EU) and exchange views on regional issues.

 

The Deputy Secretary-General of the European External Action Service congratulated the Thai people on the occasion of the Coronation of King Rama X in May 2019 and praised the important role Thailand played on political, security and economic fronts at the regional level. In addition, both sides discussed the way forward for promoting bilateral relations and enhancing cooperation, such as a review of the draft Framework Agreement on the Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) between Thailand and the EU prior to its signing in the future, the resumption of negotiations on the Free Trade Agreement between Thailand and the EU, and the promotion of connectivity in order to advance bilateral trade, investment and economic development.

 

Both sides also exchanged views on the situation in Europe and Asia, such as the challenges of Brexit, conflicts and unrest in the European region and its neighbouring countries as well as on the situation in the Korean Peninsula and in Myanmar.

The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs expressed Thailand’s readiness to work with the EU to further enhance existing relations. As the current ASEAN Chairman, Thailand is ready to push forward with the ASEAN – EU Free Trade Agreement negotiations and the finalisation of Regional Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP) negotiations. In addition, Thailand welcomes the EU’s interest in supporting the work of the ASEAN Centre for Sustainable Development Studies and Dialogue (ACSDSD). 

 

The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs called for the two sides to promote connectivity in all dimensions through various regional and sub-regional connectivity fora, such as ASEM, ASEAN and Ayeyawady – Chao Phraya – Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS), and invited the EU to consider becoming an ACMECS development partner. 

 

Furthermore, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs updated the EU on the political situation in Thailand, emphasising that the general election on 24 March 2019 was orderly and peaceful. The Election Commission will officially announce the results on 9 May 2019, after complaints regarding the elections are addressed within the relevant legal frameworks as mandated by the Constitution.

 

The discussion between the two sides was constructive, whereby both agreed to uphold the multilateral system and rules-based order which would enhance and move forward Thai – EU relations at both the bilateral and multilateral levels.