France, March 11 - The Prime Minister attended lunchtime discussions with the President of France. Both sides are ready to strengthen all-round relations. Today (11 March 2024) at 11.15 a.m. (local Paris time) at the French Presidential Palace, Palais de l'Elysée, Mr. Settha Thavisin, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance. Met with Mr. Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic, Mr. Chai Watcharong, Spokesman of the Prime Minister's Office. Summary of important points as follows: The Prime Minister said France was his first official visit to a European country. Ready to wish France success in hosting the 2024 Summer Olympics. Hope France will support and facilitate the establishment of training facilities for Thai athletes, including Thai House, where Thailand plans to showcase Thai boxing, fashion and Thai food. Opportunity The Prime Minister also invited the President of France to pay an official visit to Thailand. To celebrate the 340th anniversary of our relations and the 170th anniversary of d iplomatic relations in 2026. The Prime Minister was aware of France's plan to revive France Relance, which aims to be the first country in Europe to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Thailand also has a holistic plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. net zero by 2025 as well, along with asking France and the European Union to consider organizing 'Green lane' for environmentally friendly products As a preparation measure while negotiating the Thai-EU FTA. Still ongoing, the Prime Minister also invited French automotive parts manufacturers, especially EVs and batteries, as well as the French private sector. Come invest in Thailand To support Thailand's green transformation efforts Trade and investment Both sides welcomed the large number of large Thai companies investing in France. The Prime Minister hopes that France will facilitate Thai investment in the future. Including facilitating visas for Thai businessmen. and is ready to invite France to invest in large-scale regional projects, the Landbridge project, and in accordance with the vision of "IGNITE THAILAND" that the Prime Minister has announced, aiming for Thailand to be a regional leader. Raise the country to become a world-class industrial center in 8 sectors, including tourism. health and medicine Agriculture and food, aviation, logistics, future automotive production. digital economy and finance, with the Prime Minister meeting and inviting leading French private companies in many sectors Therefore hope to receive support from President of France as well In the areas of soft power and fashion, Thailand hopes that both sides will build on the success of the cooperation between the Thai Vocational Education Institute and the Duperré School of Applied Arts in exchanging teachers and students. To develop projects in fashion design and Thai silk. especially the development of skills and technology and inviting French fashion and jewelry stores to procure high quality ingredients from local areas in Thailand. Hope to see the work of Thai designers at events such as Paris Fashion Week. Thailand believes in French defense technology. From being partners for a long time Meanwhile, the Thai aviation industry has established a helicopter maintenance center for Airbus helicopters in Lopburi Province. Thailand hopes to continue this cooperation. We invite France to join us in investing to become a regional production base. or an advanced maintenance center for the world's leading defense company. In addition, the Prime Minister asked the President to consider pushing for Schengen visa exemption for Thai ordinary passport holders. To increase contact between Thai and French individuals and entrepreneurs, as 2025 will be an important year when the government opens the tourism era. The government has prepared in many ways. To support this activity, such as the development of infrastructure and transportation at the port. and a major government project, the Landbridge Project, which will promote travel connectivity. The Prime Min ister is confident that visa exemption will be a convenience for French private sector. Whether it's fashion The government has talked with the private sector to exchange Pop up Store activities to promote sales. Food related activities who talked with Michelin Company and activities related to world-class exhibitions The Prime Minister talked with Formula and Art Basel. Environmental and biodiversity cooperation Thailand supports France's efforts to protect the environment and biodiversity. and is pleased that Thailand and France will hold bilateral negotiations on the environment. biodiversity and protection of plant varieties. Source: Thai News Agency