BANGKOK, 20 July 2012 – Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has expressed satisfaction over the results of her meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin while confirming Germany is Thailand’s important trade partner in Europe.
Speaking at the end of her 3-day official visit to Germany on Thursday, Prime Minister Yingluck said the visit provided her a chance to confirm Thailand’s willingness to further develop the long-standing relationship and cooperation in trade and investment.
The visit was the first by a Thai prime minister in 17 years and also the first official visit to Europe by Prime Minister Yingluck since assuming her post in August 2011. It also coincided with the 150th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between Thailand and Germany.
Ms. Yingluck said that her discussion with Chancellor Merkel produced satisfactory results in several issues. In terms of agro-industry, Germany agreed to send experts to provide knowledge on improving hygienic standards of Thai agricultural exports in hopes of reducing the rate of return of the products to Thailand. In educational cooperation, there would be an exchange of educational curriculums, and training would be promoted among Thai students taking course in that country.
The two countries will also exchange knowledge on renewable energy and bio-plastics which Germany has the expertise. They have agreed to look at a possibility for jont investment in solar and renewable energy.
Ms. Yingluck indicated that a German economics minister would travel to Thailand this August in a mission to study ways to bring what had been discussed during her visit into concrete plans.
Prime Minister Yingluck left for France last night for a two-day official visit, during which she will meet President Francois Hollande and have a working lunch with Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault.
