Envoys call for EU FTA talks

       Thailand will be left behind Singapore and Vietnam if the government delays its decision to begin free-trade talks with the EU, ambassadors from the bloc warned yesterday.
       Moreover, they said Thailand would risk being passed over as a manufacturing hub, as the EU may shift its focus to rival countries. Singapore is scheduled to start bilateral free-trade talks with the EU soon, while Vietnam has expressed enthusiasm for an agrrement.
       David Lipman, ambassador and head of the European Commission's delegation to Thailand, said bilateral talks with Thailand were preferred after the long suspension of discussions for an EU-Asean free-trade agreement (FTA).
       "The EU has asked a number of Asean members to move forward on the talks. We are waiting for the Thai government to initiate bilateral talks in order to help bolster trade and economic ties between both sides," Lipman told a conference yesterday to announce the Thai-European Forum 2009, which will take place from September 17-19.
       A bilateral FTA will ensure Thailand is the EU's gateway to Asean and help increase economic stability, he said.
       Started in 2005, the EU-Asean FTA talks have been suspended since last year, due to the different views of the 10 Asean members.
       Swedish Ambassador Lennart Linner said European businessmen wanted a closer relationship with Thailand. The Kingdom has high potential to deepen and widen trade ties with the EU and other countries on the continent.
       Swiss Ambassador Christine Schraner Burgener said Swiss business people also looked forward to finalising an FTA with Thailand. The Kingdom is considered a stable destination for foreign direct investment. An FTA will boost not only collaboration between both sides in term of trade and investment, but also tourism, she said.
       The two-day Thai-European Business Forum at Muang Thong Thani will demonstrate Thai-European cooperation. Deputy Commerce Minister Alongkorn Ponlaboot said the event was aimed at generating positive export growth to the European market next year, while Thai exporters could seek new export strategies.