bangkok european union resume political contact level thailand foreign affairs council say monday put relations hold follow 2014 coup thai military move come thailand prime minister prayuth chan-ocha announce october general election would take place november 2018 precise date junta give many delay since 2014 coup government however yet end political ban would allow political party campaign ahead vote eu thailand third trade partner china japan thailand eu third-largest trade partner association southeast asian nations asean thailand export goods worth 19.6 billion 23.11 billion eu 2015 accord european commission council decide resume political contact level thailand order facilitate meaningful dialogue issue mutual importance include human right fundamental freedoms road towards democracy eu foreign affairs council say statement june 2014 eu say would keep relations thailand review put hold sign partnership cooperation agreement pca aim close economic political tie thailand express concern freedom expression country call swift return democracy sign pca talk eu-thailand free trade agreement fta could resume democratically elect civilian government new constitution statement say unite state also downgrade tie thailand follow coup scale back joint military exercise among things accord european commission eu export goods worth 13.4 billion 15.80 billion thailand 2015 include machinery transport equipment 0.8480 euros eu resume political contact 'at level thailand statement