Prime Minister Visits Sweden, Belgium, and the European Union Headquarters

(03/03/2013)

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is scheduled to make an official visit to the Kingdom of Sweden, the Kingdom of Belgium, and the European Union Headquarters from 4 to 7 March 2013. The Prime Minister will be accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong, Commerce Minister Boonsong Teriyapirom, Industry Minister Prasert Boonchaisuk, and a group of leading business people. In Sweden, Prime Minister Yingluck will have an audience with His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustav and a meeting and working luncheon with Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt. The Prime Ministers of the two countries will witness the signing of two documents: the Second Thai-Swedish Joint Plan of Action and the Law Enforcement Cooperation Agreement. On this occasion, Prime Minister Yingluck will visit “SymbioCity,” a model of urban development that combines sustainable transport, energy and water usage, and modern technology in an integrated manner. She will also attend a business dinner in Stockholm, where she will deliver a keynote address to promote Thai-Swedish investment. Sweden is now Thailand’s third-largest group of investors from the European Union. In Belgium, Prime Minister Yingluck will have an audience with His Royal Highness Crown Prince Philippe, who will lead a business delegation to visit Thailand between 17 and 22 March 2013. She will also hold talks with her Belgian counterpart, Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo, Mr. André Flahaut, President of the Belgian Chamber of Representatives, and Ms. Sabine de Bethune, President of the Belgian Senate. While in Brussels, the seat of the European Union, the Prime Minister will meet the heads of the three key institutions of the European Union, namely Mr. José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission; Mr. Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council; and Mr. Martin Schulz, President of the European Parliament. The Prime Minister will attend a business networking reception and luncheon, organized by the Board of Investment of Thailand, for representatives of the Thai and Belgian private sector, where they will have the opportunity to create networks. She will also meet representatives of Fairtrade International to promote Thai agricultural products. The European Union is currently Thailand’s fourth-largest trading partner. At a joint press conference in Brussels, the President of the European Commission will present a certificate to Prime Minister Yingluck on the registration of Thai jasmine rice “Khao Hom Mali Thung Kula Ronghai” under the European Union's Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) scheme. The Thai rice variety is the first product in Southeast Asia to be registered under this scheme. The Prime Minister will depart Brussels on TG 8885 and arrive at Suvarnabhumi International Airport at 3:20 p.m. on 7 March.