Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul attends a discussion with the French Employers Association (MEDEF International) in a Breakfast Roundtable at the Salon Foch, Le Cercle de l’Union Interalliée, Paris, France, on Monday. Government House
PARIS: Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has instructed Thai ambassadors and consuls-general across Europe to accelerate negotiations on the Thailand-European Union free trade agreement (FTA).The diplomats are also tasked with promoting what Mr Anutin called "Diplomacy 2.0" -- a more proactive and practical foreign policy approach to ramp up trade, investment and Thailand's global standing.
Speaking at a meeting of Thai ambassadors and consuls-general stationed in Europe on Sunday in Paris, Mr Anutin, who is currently on an official visit to France, said Thailand must position itself as one of the world's most attractive investment destinations amid shifting global geopolitical dynamics.
Thailand and the EU are expected to hold their ninth round of FTA negotiations in Brussels in June. Thailand aims to conclude the talks quickly to avoid losing competitiveness against countries such as Vietnam and Malaysia, which already have FTAs with the EU.
