The Nation | 19 June 2026
Inside Kazan summit: Thailand backs EAEU free trade push as Anutin meets Putin
by Akarin Vibultangman
Thailand moves to strengthen ASEAN–Eurasia ties with backing for Thailand–EAEU FTA discussions as PM Anutin stresses connectivity, investment and long-term economic integration
Thailand has expressed strong support for closer economic integration between ASEAN and Eurasian partners during a high-level working lunch held at the International Conference Centre in Kazan, Russia. The session formed part of broader ASEAN–Eurasian engagement involving regional leaders, international organisations and business representatives.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul joined Russian President Vladimir Putin, ASEAN leaders, the ASEAN Secretariat, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, the Eurasian Economic Commission representing the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), as well as business councils and chambers of commerce.
During the session, Thailand’s leader addressed “Integration Processes in the Eurasian Spaces”, stressing the need to strengthen inter-regional linkages across economies and societies.
He highlighted that future growth in the Eurasian region would depend on deeper connectivity, supported by stability and peace as the fundamental basis for sustainable integration.
Connectivity, he said, now goes beyond transport infrastructure to include supply chains, logistics networks, digital platforms, business ecosystems and people-to-people exchanges.
He also expressed Thailand’s intention to move forward with negotiations on a Thailand–Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) Free Trade Agreement, aimed at expanding trade and investment while strengthening long-term economic cooperation under a more transparent and predictable business environment.
The Prime Minister concluded by reaffirming Thailand’s commitment to working with all partners to build a Eurasian region that is peaceful, interconnected and open to opportunity, with success measured by shared prosperity and stronger resilience across economies.
