On 7 November 2013, Mr. Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, and Mr. David O’Sullivan, Chief Operating Officer of the European External Action Service (EEAS) met and exchanged views at the EEAS Headquarter in Brussels. Both sides held lively discussions on the bilateral relations between Thailand and the European Union (EU) as well as between ASEAN and the EU, the recent development in Thailand, in the EU and other regions, including international issues of mutual interests. The EU side welcomed Thailand’s recent initiative to engage and enhance closer development cooperation with the African continent through Thailand-Africa Initiative, and offered to share EU’s vast experiences in engaging and cooperating with the countries in Africa.
After the meeting, both sides proceeded to initial the draft Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation between the European Union and its Member States and the Kingdom of Thailand or PCA, signifying an important step forward in the efforts to advance Thailand-EU relations from strength to strength. Both sides will now proceed with their respective internal procedures with a view towards the signing as well as the implementation of the PCA at the earliest opportunity.
