Thailand and Scandinavian Countries to Boost Bilateral Cooperation at All Levels

(27/04/2012)

Thailand and Scandinavian countries agreed to work closely to enhance their bilateral cooperation at all levels after Danish Foreign Minister Villy Sovndal and Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt had paid a courtesy call on and discussed issues with Thai Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul in Bangkok. The discussion took place ahead of the 19th ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting (AEMM), which was scheduled for 26-27 April 2012, in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam. With Denmark, the discussion placed importance on promoting Thai-Danish cooperation in industrial creativity and clean technology development. Mr. Surapong suggested that both sides exchange knowledge and experience in energy management, which Denmark is expert in. On this occasion, Mr. Surapong expressed gratitude to Denmark for its financial assistance to Thailand in the time of the flooding in 2011. He also explained to Mr. Sovndal the progress of measures for post-flood rehabilitation, to build confidence among Danish investors. Thailand and Denmark have had an excellent, long-lasting relationship since 1621, in the period of the Ayutthaya Kingdom. Today, the two countries have been developing their ties with several cooperation agreements, especially under the frameworks of ASEAN-EU relations, the Asia-Europe Meeting, and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Surapong and his Swedish counterpart discussed pending agreements, such as the Joint Action Plan between Thailand and Sweden, to which would cover all relations in every field. The two Foreign Ministers hoped that this agreement would make in progress and that they would be able to sign it in May 2012 during a visit of Swedish Commercial Minister to Thailand. Sweden’s investments in Thailand generate an estimated two billion US dollars in income, especially in tourism services. There are many major Swedish companies investing in Thailand, namely IKEA, Ericsson, and Volvo. Mr. Bildt acknowledged that Thailand was ranked second in Southeast Asia for convenience of doing business, and 27th in the world for its investment-friendly atmosphere country, according a World Bank’s survey. The Thai-Swedish relationship can be dated back to the Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation of 1868. The two countries have a good relationship at various levels, especially high levels, from the Royal Family to ministries. Their Majesties the King and Queen of Thailand officially visited Sweden in 1960. Furthermore, Thailand pledged to work closely with the European Union to support developments in Myanmar after the three Foreign Ministers discussed ASEAN regional issues, especially Myanmar. Recently, the EU agreed to suspend sanctions against Myanmar, so now Denmark, Sweden, and other EU members are willing to provide assistance for Myanmar.