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Thailand, EU to resume FTA talks

The Government of Thailand has ordered the Ministry of Commerce and related state agencies to fast-track preparations for talks on a free trade agreement with the European Union after the bloc agreed to resume political contact with Thailand.
Thailand, EU to resume FTA talks ảnh 1Thailand, EU to resume FTA talks. (Photo: eeas.europa.eu)

Bangkok (VNA) – The Government of Thailand hasordered the Ministry of Commerce and related state agencies to fast-trackpreparations for talks on a free trade agreement with the European Union afterthe bloc agreed to resume political contact with Thailand.

The EU has been suspending political contact at alllevels with Thailand since the military coup in Bangkok in May 2014.

Thai Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak plans topay an official visit to the EU in early 2018 to enhance the country’srelations with EU nations, particularly the UK and France.

Negotiations for the Thailand-EU FTA was launched inMarch 2013, covering tariffs, non-tariff barriers, services, investment, intellectualproperty, regulatory issues, competition and sustainable development.

The EU agreed to res​tore political contact with Thailandafter the country made democratic progress this year by adopting a newconstitution and committing to hold a general election in November 2018. Butthe bloc repeated its call for the restoration of full democracy in Thailand.

Poj Aramwattananont, vice chairman of the Thai Board ofTrade, said the decision by EU to resume political contact with Thailand,including FTA negotiations, is a good sign to solve the illegal, unreported andunregulated fishing issues.

He hoped that the EU will remove the yellow warning cardimposed on Thailand’s aquatic products since April 2015.-VNA
VNA
#Thailand #EU #Europe #Ministry of Commerce #free trade agreement #European Union #political contact #negotiations #talks #Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak #Thailand-EU FTA #Vietnam news agency #Vietnamplus Thailand European Union
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