THURSDAY, March 28, 2024
nationthailand

UK: A partner for Thailand, SE Asia

UK: A partner for Thailand, SE Asia

As the first UK Foreign Office Minister to visit Southeast Asia since the EU referendum, I want to make clear that the UK is open for business and we believe this dynamic region is incredibly important for Britain.

We’ve been trading with Asia and especially Thailand for four centuries. Our relationship spans all aspects of foreign policy, diplomacy and security, as well as trade and investment. At this time, the UK is more active and outward facing on the world stage than ever before. This, of course, includes Thailand and our other strategic partners and high growth economies in Southeast Asia.
I share the view of many informed voices that the 21st century is going to be Asia’s century. The UK knows that Southeast Asia is a significant part of this vibrant region. That is why the UK is one of only three European countries to have an embassy or High Commission in all 10 Asean countries. 
The United Kingdom will hold fast to our vision of a global Britain that is respected abroad, tolerant at home, engaged in the world and working with our international partners to advance the prosperity and security of our nation for generations to come.
The UK will continue to be the confident, strong and dependable partner we have always been, staying true to the universal values that we share.
We are and will remain a steadfast permanent member of the UN Security Council. And, when it comes to defence, we meet our Nato commitment to spend 2 per cent of GDP on defence. Of course, defence and security in Southeast Asia is an important priority for us. We have a military garrison in Brunei and are part of the Five Power Defence Arrangements along with Singapore, Malaysia, Australia and New Zealand. 
We will continue to stand up for the rules- based international system and for international law. The UK has been clear that the parties to the South China Sea dispute must resolve it through peaceful means, to clarify their claims, and pursue them in respect and in accordance with international law, including working within the framework of UNCLOS.
And as historical pioneers of free trade, the UK is still today a global advocate. We are playing a leading international role in improving conditions for business across Asia. We are encouraging even more inward investment to the UK and the conversations I have had with international investors in Asia suggest they continue to be extremely positive about the UK and recognise the additional opportunities that leaving the EU will bring us.
We are one of only six nations in the world to spend 0.7 per cent or more of our gross national income on development. We will continue this commitment, building on the achievements we have already made to reduce poverty, deal with instability and increase prosperity the world over. And we will continue to drive forward the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.
The UK will continue to play our part in the international effort against climate change – we are starting work to implement the Paris agreement by the end of the year. 
It is our outward-looking approach that has ranked Britain among the top three most innovative societies in the world and we remain the fastest growing European economy, according to the OECD. We have a strong past and a shared heritage and the UK is looking, with Asean, to build on our already strong ties into the future.
 
Alok Sharma is minister for Asia and the Pacific in the United Kingdom’s Foreign & Commonwealth Office.
RELATED
nationthailand