Premier to visit Germany

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha will make an official visit to Germany next week.

During the two-day visit from Nov 27-28, the PM will talk to German Chancellor Angela Merkel, to elevate Thai-German relations to a strategic partnership level, particularly in the fields of Industries 4.0, cooperation on research and technology development and human resource development, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) spokeswoman Busadee Santipitaks said yesterday.

Special attention will be given to enhancing cooperation with Germany on technical and vocational education, as well as capacity building and skills development of Thai SMEs and start-ups that will help create jobs and promote inclusive growth, the ministry said.

“The meeting between the two leaders will allow both sides to cooperate even more closely during Thailand’s Asean chairmanship and Germany’s non-permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council in 2019 in addressing global issues of common concern to Asia and Europe,” it said.

Thailand and Germany will explore opportunities to expand development cooperation under trilateral and Asean frameworks, as Germany is the only country holding the status of Development Partner of Asean, the ministry said.

Thailand will also invite Germany to become an ACMECS Development Partner, with a view to helping CLMV countries achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals,” Ms Busadee said.

Gen Prayut, accompanied by Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai, will attend the “Thai-German Business Forum: AsiaEurope Partnership for the Future”, together with representatives of the German public and private sectors. The prime minister will also meet German CEOs from the rail and next-generation automotive industries.