Berlin: Germany is confident Thailand will stage a successful return to democracy with its general election early next year, likely followed by continued prosperity, Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai said after meeting his German counterpart Heiko Maas on Wednesday.
Don: Germans full of hope
Bilateral ties and trade are already healthy but could potentially hit new heights in 2019 fed by more value-added manufacturing in Thailand to boost exports, he said.
"I think [Germany] already knows and understands the current situation in Thailand. They just wanted some reassurance [the poll would not be pushed back again]," he said.
"If the two remaining organic laws [on the election of MPs and the selection of senators] that are prerequisites to the election are endorsed this year, it should happen in February with no further delays," Mr Don said.
The two laws were submitted for royal endorsement on June 15, according to Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam.
After Wednesday's meeting, German Foreign Office posted a note on its Twitter account (@GermanyDiplo).
"FM @HeikoMaas welcomed his #Thai counterpart Don: great potential for bilateral/multilateral cooperation in economic affairs and on regional issues, e.g. Myanmar. For this, Thailand must swiftly return to democracy. Discussed road map for upcoming elections," it said.
Mr Don said Germany is the top investor in Thailand among EU countries. The two nations established diplomatic ties over 150 years ago and Thailand now receives 800,000 German visitors annually. There are also 34,000 Germans living in Thailand.
The European powerhouse was Thailand's 13th biggest trading partner last year with almost US$11 billion worth of trade conducted, according to the Department of Trade Negotiations.
Mr Don said he invited Mr Maas and German business people to visit Thailand and see the potential of investing in projects like the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), which focuses on three eastern provinces and is expected to boost links to India and China.
It will also upgrade Thailand's status as a production base and exporter of value-added goods and services, Mr Don said, citing its potential appeal to investors.
Mr Haas told Mr Don he was looking forward to the election as FTA talks cannot be resumed until once that is completed and Thailand has an elected government.
The EU Foreign Affairs Council on Dec 11 opted to resume political contacts at all levels with Thailand, which has been ruled by a junta government since a bloodless coup in 2014.
The two foreign ministers discussed regional affairs and potential areas of cooperation, Mr Don said. They also talked about Thailand's developmental aid for Myanmar's troubled Rakhine state, which has seen 700,000 Rohingya Muslims flee since last August.
Mr Don suggested Germany could share its expertise to help deal with this situation.
Thailand will serve as the Asean chair in 2019.
Germany has been invited to be a development partner for the Ayeyawady Chao Phraya Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (Acmecs).
Bangkok hosted Acmecs' annual summit this year. The group represents half of the Asean community including Laos and Myanmar.
Mr Don said greater regional stability would benefit all sides.
