Thailand – Visit by Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne (12-13 February 2018)

He will discuss the strengthening of bilateral economic relations with several members of the government: Kobsak Pootrakool, serving in the Office of the Prime Minister; Minister of Science and Technology Suvit Maesincee; Minister of Industry Utama Savanayon; Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Virasakdi Futrakul; and Deputy Minister of Transport Pairin Chuchottaworn.

Mr. Lemoyne will speak with Thai investors about reforms implemented by the French government to promote our country’s enhanced appeal to investors. This visit will underscore the high caliber of French assets in such strategic sectors as aircraft and aerospace, transportation, and food production, and to raise issues of market access. Thailand is France’s second-largest Southeast Asian market and its second-largest destination in terms of French foreign direct investments. The minister will also visit the site of the future Alliance Française of Bangkok, to feature cultural and educational events in French in a country numbering 500,000 French-speakers.

During his trip, Mr. Lemoyne will also discuss the regional situation with the Thai authorities and prospects for strengthening relations between the EU and Thailand under the Thai roadmap to restore democratic rule. Conversations will focus on the situation of the Rohingya in Myanmar, with France reiterating its condemnation of the severe human rights violations committed by Myanmar security forces and calling for the swift restoration of safe, unhindered humanitarian access as well as media access to the area and for the establishment of conditions allowing refugees to return home voluntarily, safely and permanently. Mr. Lemoyne will discuss this point in a meeting with Surakiart Sathiratha, former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, in his capacity as chairman of the advisory board for the Committee for Implementation of the Recommendations on Rakhine State led by Kofi Annan.