On 6 September 2022, the Parliamentary Committee of the European Free Trade Area met with Mr. Thani Thongphakdi, Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Thailand, during the Committee’s visit to Thailand as guest of the National Assembly on 5 – 9 September 2022. The visit follows the official relaunch of the Thai – EFTA FTA negotiations on 20 June 2022 in Bornganes, Iceland.

The EFTA Parliamentary Committee, led by Ms. Ingibjörg Ólöf Isaksen, Chair of the Icelandic delegation to the EFTA Parliamentary Committee, comprises parliamentarians from the 4 EFTA member states (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland) and has an important role in promoting relations among the EFTA member states and between EFTA and third countries. During this visit to Thailand, the EFTA Parliamentary Committee aims to work more closely with the National Assembly of Thailand, encourage the Thai – EFTA relations in all dimensions, and reaffirm the Committee’s full support for the Thai – EFTA FTA negotiation process.

The meeting between the EFTA Parliamentary Committee and the Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs was conducted in a constructive atmosphere. Both sides recognize the significance of the Thai – EFTA FTA, which aims to be highly comprehensive and conducive to economic growth and employment expansion in Thailand and the 4 EFTA member states. Additionally, the close and longstanding relations between Thailand and Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland serve as strong foundations for building economic connectivity among all involved.

The Department of Trade Negotiations, Ministry of Commerce, and EFTA have launched the first round of FTA negotiations in Bangkok on 28 – 30 June 2022 and will hold the second round of negotiations in late October in Geneva, Switzerland. Both sides aim to conclude the FTA negotiations within 2 years.