PM Srettha advocates for reciprocal advantages as a result of Thailand’s acces to Schengen nations.
Thailand’s ambitious plan to get a visa-free partnership with European nations in the Schengen region has received French help, according to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on Tuesday, and it intends to ratchet up the process for a free trade agreement with the EU.
He was addressing Emmanuel Macron, the president of France, at the Élysée Palace in Paris, after a conference with him. On Monday evening, at 2:00 PM in Paris, the two leaders held a joint media event.
In a separate meeting with Thai advertising, Mr. Macron stated that he was willing to support Thailand’s effort to ratify the Schengen area‘s visa-free agreement.
According to Mr. Srettha, Thailand and France may started working together on the visa-free effort shortly after the 2024 European Parliament elections, which are scheduled to take place from June 6 to June 9.
By the end of this year, he added, a decision is still achievable.
27 Western countries that have abolished border settings at their respective common edges are included in the Schengen zone.
Mr. Srettha stated to Mr. Macron that a visa-free program may increase options for Thai and Schengen citizens to engage in other areas as well as increase opportunities for tourists and businesses.
Regarding the Thailand-EU free trade agreement, Thailand then anticipates that negotiations will turn out favorably in about 18 weeks, he said.
According to Mr. Srettha, the two officials also discussed defense cooperation between Thailand and France, and they would engage in follow-up discussions to discuss more specifics.
However, he added that a European delegation may travel to Thailand in September, while a Thai company delegation is scheduled to travel to France in May.
Mr. Macron may also travel to Thailand once more in the coming year, the top said.
Mr. Srettha had earlier emphasized Thailand’s desire to become a regional hub for eight development sectors, including hospitality, medical and health care, food and agriculture, aircraft, transport, modern vehicle production, online economy, and finance.
He urged France and its citizens to join the country’s optimistic enhancement plans as a key partner on behalf of Thailand.
Mr. Srettha also wished for France and Thailand to collaborate to bring more of the country’s recognized silk into the European fashion industry.
He claimed to have met with executives from more than 20 top European companies in various business sectors over the course of the past two days, including those in carmaking, aviation, fresh energy, fashion, sports, hotels, and tourism.
He likewise met with Formula 1 professionals, who expressed interest in Thailand as a possible location for an F1 engine racing event.
He added that the earliest that Thailand may be added to the F1 race timeline may be 2027, and that more debate will start to happen.