On 22 April 2024, H.E. Ms. Kanchana Patarachoke, Ambassador-designate of Thailand to Belgium, and Embassy officials welcomed a delegation from the National Defence College of Thailand, led by Major General Pratuang Piyakhapo, Advisor in National Defence Studies Institute, at the Royal Thai Embassy, during their official study visit to Belgium.
The group was briefed on the work of the Embassy and Team Thailandin advancing cooperation between Thailand and the European Union (EU) as well as with Belgium and Luxembourg. The priorities, among others, include negotiations on the Thailand-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA), Schengen visa exemption for ordinary Thai passports, monitor and provide information on relevant EU environmental regulations that may affect Thailand, clarify Thailand’s position to address Illegal Underreported Unregulated Fishing (IUU) as well as to promote trade and investment opportunities, exchange knowledge on innovation and green and digital transition, and strengthen Thai communities in Belgium and Luxembourg.
The delegation was also briefed on the structure and role of the EU’s institutions as well as Thailand-EU relations together with Belgium’s political system, military policy, economic strength and potential to enhance cooperation between Thailand-Belgium relations.
Views on the political trends, ASEAN-EU relations as well as the potential areas to expand Thailand-Belgium cooperation on defence industry were exchanged.
In the afternoon, the Ambassador-designate joined the delegation in visiting the European Parliament (EP) and were briefed on the EP’s function and mandate.