The ministry hopes to give Europeans a better understanding of the coup and bring about a positive change in European directive toward the Kingdom, senior officials at the ministry said yesterday.

The minister would explain the Thai situation, in the context of Asian regional development, to the 45-member Asem, said SuphornPolmani, deputy head of the European Affairs Department.

The ministry is concerned that European nations might view Thailand's situation in the same light as military-ruled Burma, although some European members have said they understand the differences between the two neighbouring countries. Burma has faced European sanctions for years as a result of its suppression of democracy and human rights violations.

The European Union (EU) regarded Thailand as suffering a "democracy setback" after the coup toppled the elected government of Thaksin Shinawatra. The EU subsequently issued a directive for its 27 members not to undertake officials visits and not to make exchanges at the political level unless the Kingdom returned to its democratic track.

The benchmark for the European directive change will be the next general election in the Kingdom. The current EU directive is an obstacle to relations and cooperation between the kingdom and the EU as many joint projects need political input and decision-making, an official said.

"The directive now bars us from renewing a five-year action plan, as the current one is about to expire," said the official on condition of anonymity.

Nitya's most urgent priority during the two day-meeting in Hamburg will be to explain the latest developments in Thailand and to assure EU members that the Kingdom will hold an election in December as scheduled, said ministry spokesman Tharit Charungvat.

The minister would meet bilaterally with his counterparts from Sweden, Portugal, Spain, the United Kingdom, Austria, China, Cambodia and Singapore.

A wide range of issues would be discussed at Asem including the Middle East, the Korean Peninsula, terrorism and global warming, Tharit said.

Established in 1996, Asem is a dialogue forum for 43 countries and 2 organisations. The Asian side wants to elevate the status of the meeting so that it becomes a "forum for cooperation" rather than a "talk shop" that doesn't produce results, Tharit said.

Supalak Ganjanakhundee

The Nation