Thailand and Germany have agreed to elevate their relations to a strategic partnership, which Thailand believes that bilateral cooperation will significantly increase in an inclusive manner, covering regional cooperation with ASEAN and in the Indo-Pacific region.

The issue was discussed during the visit of Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Srettha Thavisin to Germany on 13-14 March 2024. Prime Minister Srettha and Mr. Olaf Scholz, Chancellor of Germany, chaired a joint press conference on 13 March in Berlin.

The two leaders discussed ways to strengthen cooperation in clean energy and green transition, the EV and battery industries, sustainable agriculture, infrastructure development, and technology and knowledge transfer, as well as the exchanges of high-level visits.

They also discussed connectivity through Thailand’s “Landbridge” project, Thai - EU free trade agreement negotiations, and Schengen visa exemptions for ordinary Thai passport holders. Cooperation on regional and global issues, including climate change and global security, was raised for discussion, as well.

The Prime Minister affirmed the Government’s commitment to supporting Germany’s investment in the manufacturing of conventional internal combustion engine and hybrid vehicles.  He hoped that German would support Thailand to join the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

The Prime Minister also extended his invitation for Chancellor of Germany to pay an official visit to Thailand. On this occasion, he met leading German companies to attract more German investments to Thailand, especially in the automotive and semiconductor sectors.