Vietnam lauds Thailand’s efforts in its role as a coordinator for the ASEAN-China relations, which have contributed to maintaining the regional grouping’s solidarity in the East Sea issue.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung made the remark at talks on November 27 in Hanoi with his Thai counterpart Prayuth Chan-ocha who is on a working visit to Vietnam to elevate bilateral ties to a higher level.

The Thai PM’s official visit to Vietnam right after taking office is seen as a vivid manifestation of the strategic partnership and a practical contribution to propel the Vietnam-Thailand traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation forward.

The two PMs noted with satisfaction the bilateral ties have been growing constantly in various realms, particularly after it was upgraded to a strategic partnership during Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s Thailand visit in June 2013.

They agreed to continue close coordination, intensify high-level delegation exchange and effectively implement bilateral cooperative mechanisms like joint cabinet meetings and the Vietnam-Thailand bilateral cooperation committee.

Both government leaders stressed the need to direct ministries, sectors and localities to fully realize signed agreements and increase cooperation with a focus on investment and trade activities towards achieving a US$15 billion bilateral trade target by 2020.

The two sides also reached a consensus on combined efforts to resolve disputes by peaceful measures in line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and speed up the finalization of a Code of Conduct in the East Sea(COC).

Prayuth Chan-ocha invited PM Nguyen Tan Dung to attend the Greater Mekong Sub-region Summit in Thailand in December, 2014 and co-chair the third joint cabinet meeting next year.

After the talks, the two PMs witnessed the signing of three cooperation documents, including the 2014-2018 action programme on the Vietnam-Thailand strategic partnership, the 2014-2016 cultural cooperation programme and a cooperation agreement between the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho and Thailand’s Chachongsao province. 

Thai PM welcomed by State, NA leaders

Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha appreciated Vietnam in facilitating operations of Thai enterprises involved in oil gas and fishing in the country at his meeting with President Truong Tan Sang in Hanoi on November 27.

Both countries should use their current road and seaway transportation routes to form joint tourism-served tours, he told the President.

He stressed the necessity to reinforce collaboration among the ASEAN member states, especially between Thailand and Vietnam in the rapidly changing world.

The Thai PM said he believed that the traditional friendship foundation will support Vietnam- Thailand coordination at international forums.

President Truong Tan Sang confirmed that Vietnam treasures and is willing to intensify its ties with Thailand.

He affirmed Vietnam’s commitment to facilitating the implementation of cooperation programmes between the two countries’ ministries and businesses.

Concurring with the Thai PM’s proposal of expanding cooperation among ASEAN members, the State leader hoped that with its role as ASEAN’s coordinator at regional forums, Thailand will help address difficulties facing the bloc and build a united ASEAN community.

On the same day, the guest was received by National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung, who expressed his belief that the visit will push for stronger bilateral ties, particularly in politics, economics, security, defence, tourism, culture and education.

Both sides agreed to enhance parliamentary cooperation through all-level delegation exchanges and experience sharing.

The host took this occasion to invite Thai parliamentary leaders to attend the 132 nd Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly in Hanoi in 2015.