In a significant development, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs H.E. Mrs. Lalivan Karnchanachari met with Mr. Diego Martínez Belío, Secretary of State for Foreign and Global Affairs of Spain, on the sidelines of the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) held in Seville, Kingdom of Spain from June 30 to July 3, 2025.
The Vice Minister expressed her deep honour at the gracious presence of His Majesty King Felipe VI, who presided over the opening ceremony of the FfD4 Conference. During their bilateral meeting, both sides exchanged views on ways to enhance Thai-Spanish cooperation across various dimensions, particularly in fostering closer collaboration between public and private sectors.
The Vice Minister sought Spain's support for Thailand's bid to join the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), as well as the initiative to exempt holders of Thai ordinary passports from Schengen visa requirements. She also discussed strengthening cooperation in green energy and the transition to a low-carbon economy, an area both countries attach great importance to.
This meeting marked another important step in reinforcing the close and long-standing ties between Thailand and Spain, while paving the way for even closer collaboration at both bilateral and multilateral levels in the future. The meeting highlights Thailand's commitment to strengthening its relationships with key partners like Spain, which is an important player in the European Union and globally.
Thailand's efforts to join international organizations such as the OECD demonstrate its commitment to global economic cooperation and its desire to strengthen its position on the world stage. The initiative to exempt holders of Thai ordinary passports from Schengen visa requirements also underscores Thailand's focus on facilitating travel and trade between nations.
The visit by Vice Minister Karnchanachari serves as a testament to Thailand's active role in regional and international affairs, where it works closely with like-minded countries to promote shared values and interests. As a result of this meeting, we can expect to see enhanced cooperation between Thailand and Spain in various sectors, including foreign policy, trade, and development.
In conclusion, the meeting between Vice Minister Karnchanachari and Mr. Martínez Belío represents an important milestone in strengthening bilateral ties between Thailand and Spain. The outcome of this meeting will likely have a positive impact on both countries' global engagement and cooperation in areas of mutual interest.