Dutch Ambassador reaffirms need for free, fair elections
Netherlands Ambassador to Thailand Karel Hartogh reaffirmed the need for free and fair elections during his meeting with Thai Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha today.
He also reaffirmed the need for an inclusive constitutional process and the full restoration of the freedom of expression, assembly and other basic human rights and international values Thailand has subscribed to.
Discussing the government’s road map to democracy Prayut stressed that the government was doing its utmost to implement the roadmap to democracy and returning the country to lasting peace and stability.
In a statement from the embassy, the meeting was friendly and courteous, reflecting the long standing ties that both countries have enjoyed, and covered a range of bilateral and international issues, including cooperation in the framework of EU-Asean relations. The Netherlands currently chairs the Council of Ministers of the European Union, Thailand holds the position of Country Coordinator for Asean-EU relations.
On EU-Asean relations both parties recalled the ambition to strengthen bi-regional cooperation. In order to accomplish this ambition it was vital to give sufficient feedback on each other’s policies, activities and proposals.
Hartogh pointed out that the EU wholeheartedly supported the integration process of Asean and said that the relationship between Asean and EU was sufficiently mature to bring it to a higher level of cooperation, both economically and politically. As the Ambassador of the country which currently holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union Hartogh looked forward to continue working together with Asean Chair Laos and Asean-EU Country Coordinator Thailand. As one of its priorities the Netherlands is particularly emphasizing a close cohesion among the issues of climate change, energy, the environment and sustainability.
During the meeting both sides identified potential areas of enhanced cooperation such as water and water management, urbanisation, education, agri- and horticulture, and food security. Ambassador Hartogh especially focused on the urgency and complexity of issues related to water and other climate related problems confronting Thailand. These problems (drought, clean water supply, floods protection, salinity intrusion in the lower Chao Phraya estuary) are increasingly critical and require immediate action. He referred to several studies and surveys carried out by the Netherlands in the past which, together with a number of recommendations, were presented to the Thai government.
Prayut said the government had come up with a Water Resources Management Master Plan which is still awaiting Parliamentary assent. He expressed his great interest in exploring ways for renewed cooperation in this and other fields.
