On 21 November 2023, H.E. Mr. Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, welcomed H.E. Mr. Felipe de la Morena Casado, Ambassador of
Spain to Thailand on the occasion of the latter's duty assumption.

Both sides discussed ways to further enhance the multi-faceted bilateral cooperation, particularly the promotion of exchange of high-level visits, economic and investment cooperation, especially in the fields of energy, sustainability and innovation, facilitation of travel between officials and citizens through exemption of the Schengen visa, upcoming Political Consultations and 2024 Spain-Thailand Forum to be held in Madrid, and candidatures in international organizations. They also exchanged views on the relaunch of negotiations for the Thai-EU FTA and latest developments on regional issues.

Ambassador Casado used this opportunity to highlight Spain’s priorities during the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the EU from July-December 2023 in four main areas: (1) economy, particularly in industrial recovery and self-reliance of the EU; (2) environment, particularly in climate change and environmental degradation; (3) society, particularly in social and economic justice by supporting the establishment of minimum and common standards of corporate taxation in all Member States and (4) European unity, particularly in building European unity amidst current geopolitical tensions.