EU looking to return to FTA talks under elected Thai government

By WASAMON AUDJARINT 
THE NATION 

 

EU delegation to Thailand ambassador Pirkka Tapiola

 

THE European Union delegation visiting Thailand is optimistic of making a breakthrough in free trade talks with Thailand within four years, under the elected future government.

 

“Negotiations on an FTA will only be possible with a democratically elected government,” the EU delegation to Thailand ambassador Pirkka Tapiola told reporters. “And I really wish that it can succeed during my term here.”

 

Tapiola came to the Kingdom last September to serve as envoy with what he called the goal to re-engage with Thailand.

 

EU-Thailand relations have run into bumps after the 2014 coup. Last December, however, the EU decided to resume political contacts with Thailand following developments, including PM General Prayut Chan-o-cha’s promise to hold elections by November this year.

 

Tapiola took the promise as an encouraging sign to re-engage, saying he would not “predict too far” on further election delays or any post-election scenario that allows a prolonged stay of the ruling junta.

 

Lecturing to foreign countries is not the “EU style”, the envoy said.

 

“EU countries have been through so much, so many centuries of wars and coups. Afterwards, we realised that the rule of law and democracy can make you more resilient to outsiders,” he said. “We just think the mistakes we made should never happen again.”

 

Eager to step up ties with Thailand, Tapiola said he had been observing developments in Thailand including adoption of the 2017 Constitution, abolishing of the military court against civilians and almost a decade without executions for criminal offences.

 

These would pave the way for FTA negotiations, which were first launched four years ago, he said.

 

If successful, the FTA would cover several topics including tariffs and non-tariff barriers, which would much likely enable more trade flows between EU and Thailand.

 

The EU is Thailand’s third-biggest trade partner after China and Japan. Thailand is also the EU’s third-largest trading partner in Asean.

 

In 2017, the EU imported 22.3 billion euros (Bt849 billion) worth of goods from Thailand and exported 15 billion euros worth of goods to the Kingdom. 

 

Key exports from Thailand are machinery and electronics and transport equipment, miscellaneous manufactured articles, as well as food products.

 

Seafood product exports, however, ran into trouble as the EU got tough on irregular, unreported and unregulated fishing, which have hindered fishing industries in Thailand, particularly due to labour abuses and excessive fishing.

 

Tapiola reiterated that the EU’s speculation on the Thai fishing industry was nothing political and it only aimed to enhance the sustainability of the fishing industry.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30344995

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-05-10

1 hour ago, webfact said:

THE European Union delegation visiting Thailand is optimistic of making a breakthrough in free trade talks with Thailand within four years, under the elected future government.

And as usual, they know nothing. They never learn! If an election is held next year, and a new government is democratically elected. Don´t they realize that it´s only going to take maximum 1,5-2 years before the roit in the streets starts again? In ofur years we will have another military regime. Better they say 2-3 month after the supposed election to have a fair chance.

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Lecturing to foreign countries is not the “EU style”, the envoy said.

 

“EU countries have been through so much, so many centuries of wars and coups. Afterwards, we realised that the rule of law and democracy can make you more resilient to outsiders,” he said. “We just think the mistakes we made should never happen again.”

says lecturing is not good, and then proceeds to lecture...

3 hours ago, webfact said:

In 2017, the EU imported 22.3 billion euros (Bt849 billion) worth of goods from Thailand and exported 15 billion euros worth of goods to the Kingdom. 

 

If Thailand didn't have that very high importtax the exports could be as high as the imports.

 

I hope the importtax will be gone soon...

3 hours ago, webfact said:

THE European Union delegation visiting Thailand is optimistic of making a breakthrough in free trade talks with Thailand within four years, under the elected future government.

The best the EU can hope for is a stage managed "democratic" election organised by the military junta and favouring the Junta Party.

In any case "free trade" agreements to Thailand are not respected by the junta and are meaningless. Just ask Kingsgate Mining which was operating under the umbrella of the Australia/Thailand free trade agreement. They had their gold mine stolen from them by a self appointed Prime Minister using a self granted Article 44. 

No honour among thieves here in Thailand; whether it be elections, gold mines or money intended for destitute people.

Democrat government?

Can't be Prayut.

May be after he go!

Why don't they just engage with talks early, it will be the same people in the discussions.

31 minutes ago, coulson said:

Why don't they just engage with talks early, it will be the same people in the discussions.

Marvellous, isn't it? The EU banging on about doing business with the next elected government in the full knowledge that the election itself is a complete sham. Is there nobody out there with principles anymore?

1 minute ago, baboon said:

Marvellous, isn't it? The EU banging on about doing business with the next elected government in the full knowledge that the election itself is a complete sham. Is there nobody out there with principles anymore?

It's exactly about business, while pretending the election is going to be legitimate as much as those orchestrating it.

1 hour ago, baboon said:

Marvellous, isn't it? The EU banging on about doing business with the next elected government in the full knowledge that the election itself is a complete sham. Is there nobody out there with principles anymore?

Mesir! Mesir!

 

No there isn't.

 

The guy with the glasses has been told to get his backside down to Thailand and try to replace the business which they fear they will lose when GB leaves the EU. They aren't interested in whether or not Thais get a democratically elected government or just another 1% sham. Despite all of the rhetoric and huffing anf puffing, and the 'EU Inspection visits' shams and scams, maintaining business was  the only reason they backtracked on their empty threat to ban Thai seafood products, and the only reason a Thai company famous for exploiting its workers was allowed to buy John West in the UK.

Edited May 10, 20188 yr by KiwiKiwi

That is very optimistic....Within 4 years....How many Prayuts we will see in this time? Or ow many PMs were toppled in this time.....

EU-Thailand relations have run into bumps after the 2014 coup. Last December, however, the EU decided to resume political contacts with Thailand following developments, including PM General Prayut Chan-o-cha’s promise to hold elections by November this year.

 

NOVEMBER !!!!   says it all

yeah..free trade ?!!....they should rather start by talking of reducing red tape and visa hassles  for the quality expats and retirees....

 

why do business or trade with a country that has the power to deport a decent visa exempt tourist, by the sole temper of one sigle immigration officer behind his glass window ?

1 hour ago, observer90210 said:

yeah..free trade ?!!....they should rather start by talking of reducing red tape and visa hassles  for the quality expats and retirees....

 

why do business or trade with a country that has the power to deport a decent visa exempt tourist, by the sole temper of one sigle immigration officer behind his glass window ?

Apart from Thai citizens with a diplomatic passport, all others require a visa beforehand. It is very safe to say that the Thai visa regulations  for EU citizens are much more relaxed than the other way around.... 

Edited May 10, 20188 yr by sjaak327

A troll post has been removed.