PM says Europe has confidence in Thailand

She said that Thailand also could express its goodwill towards Europe, which is experiencing a severe economic crisis, during her visit to the continent’s major nations.

The prime minister was speaking from Paris during her weekly “Yingluck Government Meets the People” programme.

She said that during the visit to Germany, she spoke with Chancellor Angela Merkel about investment opportunities and democracy in Thailand. Yingluck said developing a green economy and alternative energy were also on the agenda. She added that Germany agreed to send technical experts to help Thailand improve the quality of products, in order to boost Thai exports to Europe.

The prime minister said that France, a fashion centre of the world, is a big market for Thailand’s garment and jewellery products.

Yingluck’s entourage was to leave Paris last night and is scheduled to arrive in Bangkok this morning.

French President Francois Hollande hailed Yingluck’s “commitments in favour of democracy and freedom” as they met in Paris on Friday, Agence France-Presse reported.

They agreed to “diversify economic relations” and discussed political, educational and cultural cooperation, a statement from Hollande’s office said. 

They also vowed to boost military ties and said their defence ministries would sign a cooperation agreement.

Yingluck also met Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault, who hailed Thailand for “again finding the road to democracy and stability after a period of tensions”, his office said.

The Foreign Ministry said Thailand is France’s second-biggest trading partner in Asean, with trade worth about Bt100 billion in 2010, and is the third-largest importer of French products in the group.