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The EU and Thailand announced the relaunch of negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA), with sustainability at its core. This announcement paves the way for deeper trade ties with the second largest economy in South-East Asia and further strengthening the EU's strategic engagement with this burgeoning region.
The aim of the FTA will be to boost trade and investment by addressing a wide range of issues such as: market access for goods, services, investment and government procurement; swift and effective Sanitary and Phyto-Sanitary procedures; the protection of intellectual property rights including Geographical Indications, and the removal of obstacles to digital trade and trade in energy and raw materials, thereby supporting the digital and green transitions. Sustainability will also be at the heart of this agreement, with robust and enforceable disciplines on Trade and Sustainable Development (TSD). These will be in line with the Commission's TSD review Communication of June 2022, supporting high levels of protection for workers' rights, for the environment, and the achievement of ambitious climate goals.
The EU and Thailand are committed to advancing swiftly in the FTA talks and aim to hold a first substantive round of negotiations in the coming months. The EU text proposals will be published after the first negotiating round.
March 15, 2023/ European Commission/ European Union.
https://ec.europa.eu
