EUROPEAN UNION DELEGATION TO THAILAND
Press Release
EU Ambassadors Meet Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai
Bangkok, 02 December 2015 –
Today, European Union Ambassadors met Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai. The meeting was conducted in a positive atmosphere with both sides reaffirming the significance of EU-Thai relations. The European Union is Thailand’s third largest trading partner and Thailand remains a major tourist destination with around 4.2 million European tourists visiting Thailand in 2014.
The Foreign Minister elaborated on the domestic situation. European Ambassadors noted the steps taken so far in implementing the roadmap to democracy and recalled the importance of holding free and fair elections. Ambassadors discussed the need for an inclusive constitutional process which would give space to the voices of Thai citizens and emphasised that transition to democracy requires the full restoration of freedom of expression and assembly. Ambassadors also expressed concerns about the deterioration of rule of law, detentions without due judicial process, trying of civilians in military courts and the severity of sentences. Ambassadors recalled the important role of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in ensuring that Thailand, as UN member and signatory of multilateral conventions, abides by its international obligations including the obligation of non-refoulement. European countries would welcome having regular exchanges on human rights issues of mutual interest or concern.
The European Union also welcomed the political messages on Thailand’s commitment to addressing Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing (IUU) and labour abuses in the fishing and seafood sector. The European Union welcomed the recent legislative steps, while underlining the gravity of the situation which requires further and decisive action.
Ambassadors applauded Thailand's initiative to call an International Conference on Irregular Migration in the Indian Ocean.
Referring to the role of Thailand as ASEAN coordinator for relations with the European Union, the European Union indicated it will work with Thailand in stepping up EU- ASEAN relations as decided by the 2014 EU-ASEAN Ministerial meeting.
The European Union and its member states will stand by Thailand as a friend and close partner and will provide any assistance that Thailand may require in the path to democracy.
