Experts from the public and private sectors in ASEAN and the EU discuss building a sustainable digital economy in ASEAN. (Photo: Bangkok Post) Bangkok (VNA) - The EuropeanUnion is ready to resume long-delayed free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations withThailand, EU Ambassador to Thailand Pirkka Tapiola has affirmed.
In a meeting with Thai Deputy PrimeMinister Somkid Jatusripitak on September 12, Tapiola stated that the EU isready to renew talks after five years on ice, according to local media.
Both sides also agreed to resume FTA negotiations between ASEAN and the EU, he said,adding that the negotiations will commence after the EU settles on a newEuropean Commission next month.
According to the Thai PM, Thailand is willing to conduct bilateral strategicpartnerships with member countries of the EU. FTA talks will take time, hesaid.
The EU has shown interest in taking a greaterrole in trade and investment in ASEAN and is keen to join the Ayeyawady-ChaoPhraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy and the Regional ComprehensiveEconomic Partnership (RCEP), he said.
EU investors also expressed intent to use theEastern Economic Corridor as a production base to export to other countries inthe region, and the bloc agreed to help promote Thailand's 12 targetedindustries that focus largely on high technology.
The EU is the third largest trade partner of both Thailand and ASEAN, while itis the top investor in ASEAN./.
VNA
