"We have enjoyed fruitful talks on these issues, as well as on the possibilities for joint research actions. I reiterate the European Union's commitment to provide assistance, both in Thailand and the region, should it be required," Kyprianou said.

The commissioner, who is touring four Southeast Asian nations to assess bird flu preparations, met Agriculture Minister Sudarat Keyuraphan, Deputy Prime Minister Suchai Charoenratanakul, Public Health Minister Phinnij Jarusombat and representatives of UN agencies in Bangkok.

He also toured chicken processing plants in Saraburi province just outside Bangkok and discussed food safety with Sudarat.

"Avian influenza is a global problem requiring a global response. Full transparency as well as effective data-sharing and networking at regional and global levels are vital," Kyprianou said.

Poultry is one of Thailand's leading exports but the industry took a hit after the deadly H5N1 virus was detected here in January 2004, prompting international bans on raw chicken.

Since then, exports have bounced back as the industry has enclosed its poultry farms to prevent the spread of the disease and set up facilities to cook its chicken meat, bypassing the bans.

Three new cases of bird flu have been detected in Thailand since last month, including one fatality.

The government's pharmaceutical company has said it plans to start producing its own generic version of the antiviral drug Tamiflu, which lessens the effects of the virus in humans.

Leaders of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam met in Bangkok last week and agreed to boost regional cooperation to prevent bird flu's spread, with Thailand promising a 2.5-million-dollar fund to help its neighbors in an emergency.

Kyprianou heads to Cambodia Friday and returns to Thailand on Saturday. Then he will visit the southern resort island of Phuket to inspect seafood facilities and visit tsunami-damaged areas.

He heads to Indonesia on Monday for a three-day visit.

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