Joint Press Statement of the First Thailand - European Union Joint Committee

Joint Press Statement

The First Thailand - European Union Joint Committee
2 July 2025, Brussels, Belgium

1. On 2 July 2025, the European Union (EU) and Thailand held the first meeting of the EU-Thailand Joint Committee, established under the EU-Thailand Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA). The PCA serves as the primary framework for advancing the EU–Thailand partnership, aiming to promote peace, stability, and prosperity in both regions and globally.
   
   
2. The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss a broad range of topics relevant to bilateral relations and exchange views on regional and global developments. It underscored the shared commitment to further deepen the partnership between the European Union and the Kingdom of Thailand amid the evolving geopolitical and economic landscape. The EU and Thailand stressed their attachment to democratic principles and fundamental freedoms. They exchanged on key developments on human rights and agreed to deepen their dialogue in that respect. The EU and Thailand reaffirmed their strong adherence to multilateralism and a rules-based international order. They emphasised the critical importance of respecting international law for the maintenance of international peace and security.
   
   
3. The EU and Thailand reiterated their determination to strengthen bilateral relations through practical cooperation under the PCA. In this context, both sides welcomed the Joint Committee’s decision to establish three Specialised Working Groups (SWGs), identifying priority areas of mutual interest. These SWGs will focus on delivering tangible outcomes in key areas: sustainable development and green transition; human rights and governance; trade and investment. A clear timeframe for convening the SWGs was also agreed to guide progress toward these deliverables.
   
   
4. The EU and Thailand reaffirmed their shared commitment to advancing their trade relations in a manner rooted in fairness, transparency, and sustainability and to supporting an open, fair, transparent and rules-based multilateral trading system. Both sides expressed their wish to accelerate negotiations on the Thailand–EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA), with a shared objective to reach a mutually beneficial and ambitious conclusion that unlocks the full potential of their economic partnership, particularly in the context of the current global trade environment.
   
   
5. The EU-Thailand bilateral cooperation focuses on sustainable and inclusive development, climate action, environmental protection, circular economy, research and innovation, and support to vulnerable populations. Through Global Gateway, the EU is also targeting investments on climate resilience and energy, as well as regional integration efforts. Recognising the EU’s expertise in multilateral power trade, Thailand welcomes the EU’s intent to support green energy transition and the ASEAN Power Grid in the region.
   
   
6. The EU and Thailand agreed to intensify cooperation on climate change and the green transition. The EU highlighted their ambitious Green Deal as an integrated approach for climate neutrality and commended Thailand’s significant efforts and commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2065. Thailand welcomed the EU–Thailand cooperation on climate change, which would focus on aligning institutional and regulatory frameworks, including on carbon pricing, to support Thailand’s decarbonisation objectives. These efforts will contribute to modernise Thailand’s market standards and enhance its ability to engage in sustainable trade and green investment. The EU welcomed Thailand's aspiration to join the OECD to reinforce these efforts.
   
   
7. Both sides acknowledged that the strength of people-to-people ties will help complement the implementation of the PCA and the FTA. To this end, the Thai side reiterated its request for the Schengen visa exemption for Thai nationals. The EU took note of the interest of Thailand on the exemption of Schengen visa and clarified the process leading to a decision on visa exemption.
   
   
8. The EU and Thailand discussed regional developments in Europe and in Southeast Asia. They underscored their commitment to combatting transnational crime, including online scams and addressing emerging security challenges, including hybrid threats and cybersecurity, maritime security, and the prevention and countering of terrorism and violent extremism through enhanced dialogue and cooperation, while upholding human rights and democratic principles. They welcomed the strong and growing partnership between the EU and ASEAN and expressed their commitment to deepening cooperation under the ASEAN-EU Strategic Partnership for mutual benefits to the peoples of both regions.
   
   
9. The EU and Thailand recognised the importance and the urgency to tackle the crisis in Myanmar swiftly and effectively to prevent further instability, as well as the need to provide support for displaced Myanmar populations and host communities. All solutions to the crisis in Myanmar should be primarily domestically-driven and inclusive, whilst calling for a unified international response involving the ASEAN, UN, regional partners, and all key stakeholders.
   
   
10. On Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the EU and Thailand reiterated their support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders, and called for a full and unconditional ceasefire and the cessation of any Russian attacks against civilians and civilian objects to pave the way towards a peaceful and diplomatic resolution to the conflict.
    
    
11. The EU and Thailand expressed support for initiatives that contribute to a just, lasting, and comprehensive peace between Israel and Palestine, in accordance with the two-state solution, the Charter of the United Nations, and relevant resolutions.
    
    
12. The Joint Committee meeting was co-chaired by Paola Pampaloni, Deputy Managing Director for Asia and the Pacific of the European External Action Service and Krongkanit Rakcharoen, Director-General of the Department of European Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand.