Working visit of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Mr. Xavier Bettel to Bangkok, 9 February 2024

On February 9, 2024, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Mr. Xavier Bettel, paid a working visit to Thailand.

In Bangkok, Minister Bettel was received by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jakkapong Sangmanee, for a working lunch. In the context of the 65^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, the delegations discussed the prospects for strengthening bilateral cooperation in economic, political and academic areas. Relations between the European Union and Thailand were also discussed, particularly with regard to negotiations on a free trade agreement.

The working lunch also provided an opportunity to exchange views on international and regional trends, including the situation in Ukraine and Gaza. Minister Bettel furthermore expressed his concern about the current political and humanitarian crisis in Myanmar.

The minister also met with the Governor of Bangkok, Mr. Chadchart Sittipunt, with whom he exchanged on the environmental challenges of rapid urbanization and the city’s efforts to clean up waterways. Minister Bettel also met with business executives to discuss new collaboration opportunities with Luxembourg.

Finally, Minister Bettel was invited by the Chulalongkorn University to give a special lecture in the framework of the “Young ASEAN Leader Policy Initiative”. The speech, entitled “Diplomacy at the Crossroads: Ingredients for Peace,” was followed by a lively exchange with around 100 students from all over Southeast Asia.