Joint Press Statement: The Second Thailand - European Union Joint Committee
1. On 29 September 2026, Thailand and the European Union (EU) convened the Second Thailand-EU Joint Committee (JC2). The Joint Committee has been established under the EU-Thailand Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) to serve as the key platform for both sides to steer the future direction of the Thailand-EU Partnership and to advance cooperation in areas of mutual interest, with a view to further promoting peace, stability and prosperity in both regions and beyond.
2. At the meeting, both sides welcomed the growing depth and dynamism in the current cooperation, across all key areas, amidst geopolitical and economic challenges. They also underscored the shared commitment to further deepen this partnership reflecting the alignment of global and regional objectives of peace, prosperity, multilateralism, a rules-based international order, predictability, and sustainability, as well as shared values, including respect for human rights, good governance, the rule of law and democratic principles. Both sides emphasised the need to reinforce political, security, strategic and economic cooperation at the regional and global levels.
3. Thailand and the EU welcomed the work undertaken under the established mechanisms of the Joint Committee, including, inter alia, the Specialised Working Groups on Human Rights and Governance, Trade and Investment, and Sustainable Development and Green Transition, as well as the Labour Dialogue and the Working Group on IUU Fishing. In this regard, both sides agreed to strengthen the work of the mechanisms through practical and tangible cooperation.
4. In light of the 65th anniversary of Thailand–EU relations approaching in 2027, both sides expressed their readiness to work together toward a progressive strengthening of their partnership by further building upon existing cooperation. This partnership would aim at making cooperation in all areas more strategic and more responsive to the changing global environment, further generating tangible mutually beneficial outcomes, facilitating coherent coordination between agencies of both sides, and create further synergies in advancing their shared objectives in the Indo-Pacific, Europe, and at the global level.
5. Thailand and the EU recognised the growing challenges to security posed by transboundary security challenges. They welcomed the growing momentum in their security cooperation and expressed appreciation for collaborative activities, particularly between Thai agencies and the EU’s Enhancing Security Cooperation in and with Asia (ESIWA+) Project. On 28 September 2026, the EU and Thailand held an Exchange on Security matters, including maritime security, online scams, hybrid threats, and cyber security. Both parties agreed to continue discussions on security topics of mutual interest, and to continue discussions on how best to structure and deepen these exchanges.
6. Thailand and the EU welcomed the progress made in the ongoing negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and looked forward to continued advancements in the 10th round of negotiations (28 September – 6 October 2026), stressing their joint desire to move forward swiftly towards a high-quality agreement. Both sides reviewed the outcome of the 1st meeting of the Specialised Working Group on Trade and Investment, held on 29 June 2026, and discussed ways to make further progress on longstanding bilateral trade issues and on strengthening cooperation on trade-related matters.
7. The Thailand-EU cooperation on climate action, sustainability, circular economy, research and innovation, and the green transition has gained momentum in recent years. The EU emphasised their green agenda as a lever of industrial competitiveness and decarbonisation, and welcomed Thailand’s commitment to harnessing opportunities arising from relevant EU environmental regulations, including the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), and the Eco-design for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR). Both sides will continue to exchange expertise and best practices to empower Thai businesses, particularly small and medium enterprises.
8. Thailand and the EU agreed to strengthen cooperation on decarbonisation and the climate transition to achieve carbon/climate neutrality by 2050, particularly in the areas of green finance, carbon pricing including to facilitate the preparation for the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). The manufacturing of standard-compliant Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) was discussed as a potential topic for cooperation. These efforts will contribute to Thailand’s broader alignment with international and EU standards and contribute to both sides’ climate objectives.
9. Thailand and the EU recognised the Global Gateway Strategy as the framework for advancing cooperation on clean energy, resilient infrastructure, and digital connectivity. Thailand welcomed Team Europe’s planned investment, under Global Gateway, in the Chao Phraya Flood Prevention project on community resilience and digital water management systems. The EU expressed its interests in working further with Thailand under Global Gateway in areas such as energy, including on smart grids and the ASEAN Power Grid, SAF, and space technology.
10. Thailand appreciated the EU’s decision to apply the Visa Cascade scheme to holders of Thai ordinary passports resident in Thailand. Both sides recognised the mutual benefits of strengthening people-to-people ties, especially among tourists, businesspeople, students, researchers, experts and professionals. Thailand, on the basis of reciprocity, expressed its interest in being considered a candidate for the Schengen Visa Exemption scheme and its readiness to engage in further consultations with the EU and its Member States, taking into account the relevant requirements and procedures. The EU is monitoring the implementation of the cascade, which should strongly facilitate mobility for the relevant categories of persons.
11. The Joint Committee was also a fresh opportunity to engage in a constructive dialogue on human rights, including civil and political rights, economic, social and cultural rights, equality issues, democracy and rule of law, and various legislative developments on both sides. Both sides reiterated their commitment to international human rights law and the multilateral system and agreed to continue the dialogue on human rights and governance within the specifically dedicated Specialised Working Group.
12. Thailand and the EU reaffirm their shared commitment to a rules-based international order and regionalism and to strengthening the ASEAN-EU strategic partnership amid an increasingly volatile global landscape. Thailand appreciates the EU’s proposal for an ASEAN-EU Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) and looks forward to the discussions on the CSP proposal to ensure tangible and concrete deliverables. Both sides look forward to intensifying the ASEAN-EU Partnership in light of the 50th Anniversary of ASEAN-EU Dialogue Relations in 2027 and during Thailand’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2028.
13. On Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Thailand and the EU reiterated their support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders, and called for a full and unconditional ceasefire and the cessation of all attacks on civilians of both sides, in order to create conditions conducive to a peaceful and diplomatic resolution towards a just and lasting peace, in accordance with international law. In this respect, both sides have been working closely to avoid sanctions circumvention through exports of sensitive goods.
14. On the situation in the Middle East, Thailand and the EU reaffirmed their commitment to international law and diplomacy in resolving the conflicts, paving the way for lasting peace and stability in the region, freedom of navigation, and global economic stability. With regard to Gaza and the West Bank, Thailand and the EU reiterated their deep concern over the situation and their call for all parties to immediately cease further violence in order to prevent the situation from being prolonged and aggravated, to ensure and facilitate access to humanitarian assistance, and to restore regional peace and stability in the Middle East in line with the two-State solution.
15. Regarding Myanmar, both sides recognised the urgency of addressing the situation in Myanmar swiftly and effectively. The EU acknowledged Thailand’s efforts to support peace and stability, as well as its recent decision to allow Myanmar Displaced Persons to work outside temporary shelters. Both sides emphasised the importance of continued humanitarian assistance for Myanmar,and called for a coordinated response involving the ASEAN, UN, regional partners, and all key stakeholders
16. On the border conflict between Cambodia and Thailand, Thailand reaffirmed its commitment to the peaceful resolution through dialogue and existing bilateral mechanisms with Cambodia, in accordance with international law. Thailand appreciated the humanitarian demining cooperation with the EU through the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining.
17. The Second Joint Committee meeting was co-chaired by Dominic Porter, Deputy Managing Director for Asia and the Pacific of the European External Action Service and Somrudee Poopornanake, Director-General of the Department of European Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand.