On 22 September 2023, Mr. Asi Mamanee, Director-General of the Department of European Affairs held a meeting with Mr. David Cassar, Assistant Director for External Relations and Mediterranean Affairs at the Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade of Malta to discuss ways to further strengthen Thailand - Malta bilateral cooperation. Both sides discussed potential cooperation on trade, education, tourism, marine, blue economy, cooperation between Devawongse Varopakarn Institute of Foreign Affairs (DVIFA) and the Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies of Malta, the exchange of high-level visits, the relaunch of negotiations for an FTA between Thailand and the European Union and visa exemption for holders of diplomatic and official passports. They also exchanged views on promoting international cooperation.

Afterwards, the Director-General met with Mr. Carlo Micallef, CEO of Malta Tourism Authority, and Mr. Leslie Vella, Deputy CEO and Chief Officer Strategic Development of Malta Tourism Authority, to exchange best practices on tourism and cultural management, especially sustainable tourism, gastronomy tourism and marine tourism. The Maltese side informed that Thailand has been the most popular destination in Asia among Maltese tourists.

In addition, the Director-General also met with Mr. Francis Carbonaro, Honorary Consul of Thailand in Valletta, to exchange views on the role of the “Thai Association of Malta” in promoting Thai culture awareness in Malta. There are around 300 Thai citizens living in Malta and most of them work in hotels, restaurants and Thai massage spas.