Brussels, 23/06/2014 (Agence Europe) - Extremely concerned at the military coup d'état in Thailand, the EU foreign affairs ministers decided on Monday 23 June to reduce the EU's cooperation with Thailand. “The EU is forced to reconsider its engagement” in view of events, the EU ministers stated in their conclusions. Official visits to and from Thailand have therefore been suspended. The EU and its member states will not sign the partnership and cooperation agreement which has been under negotiation with Thailand since 2006 “until a democratically elected government is in place”, the ministers stated. Some EU member states have already started to review their military cooperation with Bangkok and other agreements will possibly be affected. “Only an early and credible roadmap for a return to constitutional rule and the holding of credible and inclusive elections will allow for the EU's continued support”, the EU ministers warned, stating that the EU will consider further possible measures “depending on circumstances”.
The EU foreign affairs ministers called on the military leaders “to restore, as a matter of urgency, the legitimate democratic process and the constitution, through credible and inclusive elections”. They urged the military authorities to release all political detainees, to refrain from any further arrests for political reasons and to remove censorship. The Council also called on “all parties” to exercise the utmost restraint, and to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms. The EU foreign affairs ministers underlined that the military leadership's announcement not to organise elections for another year, so as to make reforms and write a new constitution, “falls short of the credible roadmap for a return to constitutional rule which the situation requires”. (CG)