Reiterating its conclusions of June 2014, according to which further measures should be planned depending on the circumstances (see EUROPE 11106), the EU Foreign Affairs Council stated on Monday 11 December that it was "appropriate to pursue gradual political re-engagement with Thailand", despite human rights issues.
In the conclusions it adopted, the Council announces that it has decided to resume political contacts at all levels with Thailand "in order to facilitate meaningful dialogue on issues of mutual importance, including on human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the road towards democracy".
The Council looks forward to seeing "the progressive deepening of relations with Thailand following the holding of credible and inclusive elections and improvements in the human rights situation". Parliamentary elections are planned there for October 2018.
The ministers also ask the European Commission to to explore with Thailand the possibilities for resuming talks on an EU-Thailand free trade agreement, while stating that work on the full resumption of these negotiations, and the signature of a partnership and cooperation agreement, could then be pursued by a civil government democratically elected under the new constitution. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)