1st round of EU-Thai FTA negotiations concluded

Thailand and European Union on Friday concluded the first round of negotiations on the EU-Thai free trade agreement, geared toward the second round meeting in Bangkok in September.

The first round, taking place in Brussels during May 27-31, marked an important step in strengthening EU-Thailand trade relations with enormous potential for both sides. The ambition is to conclude a comprehensive FTA.

On the EU side, the delegation was chaired by Deputy Director-General Joao Aguiar Machado, European Commission, Directorate-General for Trade, and on the Thai side by Dr

Olarn Chaipravat, President of Thailand Trade Representative Office. Both Chief Negotiators reiterated the commitment to conclude a comprehensive FTA.

"During the round, negotiation teams discussed a wide range of areas including goods, rules of origin, services and investment, public procurement, competition, intellectual property, trade remedies and trade and sustainable development," according to a joint statement.

The round helped gain a better understanding of respective positions and systems in the different areas subject to negotiations. In some areas, text-based discussions started during the round. The talks took place in a very cordial atmosphere, the statement furthered.

The next round of negotiations will be held in Thailand from September 16-20, 2013.

The negotiations were officially launched on 6 March 2013 by President Barroso, European Commission President, and the Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. The EU is

Thailand's third largest trading partner and the Thailand is the EU's third largest trading partner inside Asean (Association of South East Asian Nations). Trade between the EU and

Thailand reached nearly 32 billion euro in 2012. The EU is one of the largest foreign investors in Thailand.

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Article source: http://www.thethailandlinks.com/2013/06/02/1st-round-of-eu-thai-fta-negotiations-concluded/