Deputy Prime Minister Yotsanan held bilateral talks with the European Commission (EU) to promote Thailand’s participation in the global Horizon Europe research program, alongside attracting European technology companies to invest and strengthen Thai innovation capabilities.
On 19 June 2026, during his official visit to the Netherlands and Belgium to seek cooperation in science and technology (18 June), Professor Dr. Yotsanan Wongsawat, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), held bilateral discussions with Ms. Ekaterina Zaharieva, European Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation, aiming to elevate cooperation between Thailand and the European Union (EU) in startups, research, and innovation.
A key topic of the talks was exploring ways to connect Thailand with European technology companies to attract these firms to invest, apply, and advance technology in Thailand and the ASEAN region. The Deputy Prime Minister presented Thailand’s readiness to serve as a strategic base for European companies to expand their business and research activities in Southeast Asia.
On this occasion, the European Commission invited Thailand to send a delegation to the European Innovation Council (EIC) to study and learn about Europe’s support models for startup growth, as well as advanced innovation and technology, with the aim of adapting these models for Thailand.
Additionally, both sides discussed the possibility of Thailand joining the Horizon Europe program as an associated country by 2028. This program is the EU’s largest research and innovation initiative, covering everything from basic research to market-ready innovations. If Thailand joins, it will receive full benefits equivalent to EU member states, providing a significant opportunity for Thai universities and researchers to access global research funding and networks more extensively.
Professor Dr. Yotsanan stated that beyond the main cooperation framework, the European Commission also invited Thailand to participate in an international bioeconomy conference this October to exchange perspectives and seek new collaborations with global partners. Thailand was also invited to join the OceanEye project to help develop digital ocean system models for monitoring, analyzing, and managing marine resources.
“The OceanEye project aligns well with Thailand’s strengths in space technology and geoinformatics, as well as its extensive experience in coastal area management,” Professor Dr. Yotsanan said.
Professor Dr. Yotsanan emphasized that this bilateral discussion marks an important step in elevating the science, research, and innovation relationship between Thailand and the European Union. It opens the door to tangible cooperation across multiple dimensions, which will enhance competitiveness and drive sustainable national development on the global stage.
