Thailand and the European Union (EU) have agreed to restart negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two sides following nearly a decade of stagnation.
According to the Vietnam News Agency correspondent in Bangkok, speaking following meeting with EU Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis during a two-day business trip to Brussels (Belgium), Thai Trade Minister Jurin Laksanawisit said the two sides aim to restart trade deals. negotiations in the first quarter of this year.
Meanwhile, Mr. Dombrovskis announced on Twitter that “both sides look forward to a comprehensive, high-quality agreement on sustainable and ambitious terms”.
The EU is Thailand’s fifth largest trading partner following the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), China, the US and Japan.
[EU-Thái Lan khép lại thập kỷ sóng gió bằng PCA]
In 2022, trade between the two sides reached 41 billion USD. In which, Thailand’s exports to the EU reached 22.8 billion USD, with main export items including computers, computer equipment and components, gems and jewelry, air conditioners and accessories. components, rubber products and electronic circuit boards.
Import turnover from the EU reached 18.2 billion USD, with important items including machinery and components, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, electrical machinery, components and tools and equipment related to science. and medical.
Thailand currently has 14 FTAs with 18 countries, including the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (FTA).RCEP), which took effect at the beginning of last year.
On December 15 of last year, Thailand and the EU signed a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement Thailand-EU (PCA) to promote bilateral cooperation./.
Do Sinh (VNA/Vietnam+)
