Eurocommissaris Georgieva praat onder andere over humanitaire kwesties met Thaise minister van Buitenlandse Zaken (en)

Today, European Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid & Crisis Response, Kristalina Georgieva i, met with Thailand's Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya in Brussels. The meeting addressed humanitarian issues as well as broader questions of mutual interest, including Thailand's role to increase disaster preparedness in a region particularly vulnerable to climate change.

The EU's cooperation with ASEAN (The Association of Southeast Asian Nations) on disaster preparedness and disaster management was part of the agenda. The Commissioner congratulated Thailand on its commitment to these important issues, acknowledging Thailand’s significant role in fostering the region’s adaptation to the challenges entailed by climate change.After the meeting, Commissioner Georgieva stated: “Today we had the opportunity to discuss a number of issues on which we are working together, such as the refugee community on the Thai-Myanmar border. I welcome the Thai government’s efforts to improve access to education and training in the camps and to gradually encourage livelihood activities. Additional actions are still necessary to find a long term solution. We stand by the Thai authorities to find a sustainable solution for refugees from Myanmar.”

Commissioner Georgieva expressed her concerns about the victims of the recent political turmoil and hoped for a meaningful internal political dialogue to address the divisions in Thai society. With regard to the ongoing negotiations on the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement she said: “I believe that a rapid conclusion of a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with Thailand would be in our mutual interest. This would underline the importance of our commitments, not only for our bilateral relations, but also for our respective regions".

Humanitarian Background

A total of 140.000 refugees from Myanmar live in nine camps in Thailand. The European Commission is the biggest donor to the camps and since 1995 has provided € 141 million (€ 95 million of humanitarian funding and € 46 million through other budget lines). Assistance is provided to cover food aid, basic health care and education. The Commission aims to gradually refocus its relief support to the camps to more sustainable assistance for the refugees.

For further information: http://ec.europa.eu/echo/index_en.htm