On 29 September 2022, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs organised a stakeholders seminar to provide information and exchange views on the draft Thailand-EU Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (TH-EU PCA). The event was attended by some 120 participants from over 60 organisations from both the government and private sectors as well as civil society. The panelists also came from various entities, for example, the Director-General of the Department of Treaties and Legal Affairs, MFA, the Deputy Director-General of the Department of Trade Negotiations, the Director of the Centre for European Studies at Chulalongkorn University, as well as representatives from the Federation of Thai Industries, the Thailand Development Research Institute, and the Association for the Promotion of the Status of Women. The seminar helped to raise awareness and increase understanding of how to use the TH-EU PCA as a compass to further promote Thailand-EU cooperation. The draft PCA mainly focuses on both sides’ commitments to international norms and values, enhancing sustainable development and trade, and promoting a comprehensive partnership against the backdrop of the fast-changing world.

Mr. Sarun Charoensuwan, Deputy Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, delivered opening remarks stressing the importance of cooperation with the EU in achieving the long-term development goals of the country in all dimensions. Thailand can learn from the EU’s experience and best practices. Mr. Asi Mamanee, Director-General of the Department of European Affairs, and Mr. Sek Wannamethee, Ambassador of Thailand to the EU, also informed the audience of the PCA process and further underscored the current dynamism of the Thailand-EU partnership as a favourable factor for continued mutually beneficial cooperation.

At the plenary session, Mrs. Chulamanee Chartsuwan, Deputy Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Thai PCA Head Negotiator, offered an overview of the PCA negotiation process and the contents of the draft TH-EU PCA, which covers wide-ranging areas of cooperation including political, security-, economic, social and environment-aspects. The PCA will provide a clear direction as well as sets priorities for cooperation for both sides. Thailand’s commitment to upholding the same values important to the EU can also be considered a favourable condition for the resumption of FTA negotiations with the EU.

In the three thematic discussion sessions on (1) trade and standards, (2) political and security matters, and (3) other cooperation areas, participants were able to learn in greater detail of the draft TH-EU PCA, exchange views on the cooperation areas and how to implement and take forward such cooperation. They also identified the challenges and opportunities of cooperation with the EU.

The seminar, which was organised for the first time in this new phase of PCA negotiations, has helped to put flesh on the PCA text for the new era of Thai-EU relations. The Ministry plans to organise continued PCA stakeholder seminars in 2023.