The Vietnam-Thailand Joint Working Group on Political and Security Cooperation (JWG) convened its eighth meeting in the central province of Thanh Hoa on August 24. 

At the event, the two sides reviewed the implementation of the outcomes of the third joint cabinet meeting in August 2015 and the seventh JWG meeting, the 2014-2018 action programme on the Vietnam-Thailand strategic partnership, and the 2014-2016 Vietnam-Thailand Security Outlook. 

They focused their discussions on cooperation aspects that need to be intensified in the time ahead, including a high-level security dialogue mechanism between the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security and the Royal Thai Police and a defence policy dialogue mechanism at the deputy defence ministerial level, and the use of a hotline between the two naval forces to address sea-related issues without delay. 

Delegates also exchanged views on measures to effectively use a hotline on preventing illegal fishing between the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Thai partner. 

The two sides agreed to soon carry out an agreement on labour cooperation and sign a mutual legal assistance agreement on trade and civil affairs. 

They reached a consensus on strengthening cooperation in ASEAN to maintain a common stance on the East Sea issue with respect to international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea, and work towards the formation of a Code of Conduct in the East Sea, thus contributing to peace, stability, maritime and navigation and aviation security and safety. 

They also agreed on intensified cooperation to manage and use the Mekong river water resources sustainably and effectively.

VNA