Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein)
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521. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the nature of diplomatic ties between Ireland and Thailand; and his plans to further develop these links. [16880/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Thailand is an important partner in delivering Ireland's Asia Pacific Strategy. My Department is working to build long-term, strategic partnerships throughout the region, develop stronger two way economic partnerships and increase the visibility of Ireland. The strategy, published in January 2020, sets out in detail my Department's plans for strengthening our relations in Thailand and the region.

Since establishing an Embassy in Bangkok in 2015, our ties with Thailand have continued to strengthen and grow. Ireland's Mission also continues to monitor political developments in the country.

I have met with the Ambassador of Thailand accredited to Ireland on several occasions, most recently in November 2020, as part of an engagement with ASEAN Ambassadors. I am also pleased that in December, the EU relationship with ASEAN was upgraded to the level of strategic partnership. This provides a strong framework for deeper political and economic bilateral ties with all countries in the region, including Thailand.