On 6 November 2013 Mr. Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, and Mr. Dirk Achten, Secretary-General, Federal Public Service of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, co-chaired the First Thailand-Belgium Policy Consultation at Egmont Palace, Brussels.
The Policy Consultation is a follow-up to the Joint Plan of Action between the Governments of the Kingdoms of Thailand and Belgium (2013-2020) signed during the visit of then Crown Prince Philippe to Thailand (16-22 March 2013) to assess the progress and implementation of the Joint Plan of Action and to discuss bilateral as well as international and regional issues of mutual interest. During the Policy Consultation, both sides followed up on the visit of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to Belgium during 5-6 March 2013 and the visit of then Crown Prince Philippe to Thailand as head of an economic mission of more than 170 leading businessmen from Belgium. In particular, both sides agreed to work closely together to further promote business ties through a Thai-Belgium Business Forum, and cooperation in the energy sector with a Thai-Belgium Energy Dialogue. Both sides will also engage in development projects in Africa through trilateral projects to build on the Thailand-Africa Initiative with Belgium’s experience in Africa.
After the meeting, Secretary General Achten hosted lunch in honour of Permanent Secretary Sihasak and his delegation.
