Thailand and the EU have agreed upon the joint political will to pursue free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations, with the long-awaited talks scheduled to kick off in the first quarter of this year. Speaking after a meeting in Brussels with the EU Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis on Wednesday evening, Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit said the two sides agreed on the political intention to form the FTA. This is the first time the two parties have jointly expressed their political intention to pursue internal processes to pave the way for a free-trade pact. Mr Jurin said he would shortly ask for the Thai cabinet's consent to go ahead with the FTA plan. "Both parties have pledged to complete the internal processes as fast as possible so that the FTA talks could start in the first quarter of this year," he said. Thai products expected to reap benefits from such a pact, if implemented, include automobiles and parts, garments, electronics, chemicals, rubber, plastics, food and processed food products, machinery and parts, construction, and leather products. Thai products likely to feel the pinch from the FTA include sugar, vegetables, fruits and beans. See also: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG230127104309024