On 16 October 2019, Mr. Sasiwat Wongsinsawat, Director-General of European Affairs Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand and Mrs. Paola Pampaloni, Deputy Managing Director, European External Action Services (EEAS) co-chaired the 14th Thai-EU Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) at EEAS, Brussels. The meeting was attended by the officials from relevant agencies of Thailand and the EU.
Both sides discussed on enhancing the Thai-EU bilateral relations especially the signing of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) and the resumption of the Thai-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiation after the EU Foreign Affairs Council conclusions on 14 October 2019 which reiterates the EU’s readiness to broaden its engagement with Thailand following the political development in Thailand.
Both sides also exchanged views on political and economic situation, enhancing bilateral relations in political, security, economic, trade, investment science and technology and technical cooperation. They also shared their views on cooperation in regional framework, which the EU commended Thailand’s role as ASEAN chair which helps strengthen ASEAN-EU relations. Moreover, both sides also agreed to enhance cooperation in multilateralism, partnership in sustainable development, Asia-Europe connectivity, climate change and sustainable repatriation of displaced persons.
Before the meeting, Mr. Gunnar Wiegand, Managing Director for Asia Pacific, EEAS, hosted a working breakfast for the Thai delegation, during which H.E. Mr. Manasvi Srisodapol, Ambassador of Thailand to the EU and H.E. Mr. Pirkka Tapiola, Ambassador of the EU to Thailand also participated.
