PRIME MINISTER Srettha Thavisin and visiting German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier have set a target to elevate relations between the two countries to strategic partnership level while expanding cooperation in various areas, Manager Online said today (Jan. 25).
This is the first official visit to Thailand by a German president in 22 years with relations between the two countries going back more than 162 years. Thai Prime Minister Srettha will also be visiting Germany in March.
Germany is Thailand’s largest trading partner in the EU while Thailand is Germany’s third biggest trading partner within Asean.
During their discussion at Government House the leaders of the two countries emphasised the importance of cooperating in sustainability, coping with global warming and energy transition to achieve carbon neutrality and zero greenhouse gas emission target.
Germany is ready to support Thailand with renewable energy production technology to increase the proportion of renewable energy use in electricity generation to 50 percent by 2040.
Moreover Germany will also expand investment in the electric vehicle industry so that Thailand can become the regional centre for EV production while continually promoting sustainable agriculture in Thailand and ready to cooperate in solving the PM 2.5 dust problem
The German president has also brought a private delegation with him and during a meeting with the private sector Srettha mentioned Thailand’s economic potential and new opportunities here.
They were also briefed on the Land Bridge megaproject and upgrading rail transportation and logistics systems.
The German business leaders were interested in international product fairs and recycling and producing plastic pellets from waste with Thailand ready to consider supporting their investment in these fields.
Srettha asked for Germany’s support in negotiations with EU for visa exemption for Thais holding an ordinary passport while pointing out that Thailand is a popular destination for German tourists with over 700,000 having visited the country in 2023 and they are entitled to 30-day visa-exemption entry.
The German president will have an audience with Their Majesties the King and Queen this evening.
Tomorrow he will be visiting the hydro-floating solar hybrid project at Sirindhorn Dam and the sustainable agriculture project which is a collaboration between Germany and Thailand.
CAPTION:
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin with visiting German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier today, Jan. 25. 2024. Photos above and first, third and fourth below: Thai Rath, second below and Front Page: Manager Online
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