Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan (R) and Speaker of the Thai House of Representatives Chuan Leekpai

She spoke highly of the strong development of the bilateral cooperative relations over the past 43 years, especially since the establishment of the strategic partnership in 2013 on the occasion of the visit to Thailand by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.

She conveyed the congratulations from Party General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong on the occasion of the coronation of King Maha Vajiralongkorn in May. Vietnam hopes to welcome the King in an early state visit to Vietnam, and Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha in an official visit to the country to co-chair the fourth joint cabinet meeting between the two countries in Vietnam in late 2019, Ngan said.

At the talks, the two top legislators exchanged ideas on cooperation between the two countries in economy, trade, and investment.

Chairwoman Ngan suggested Thailand make it easier for the trade of Vietnamese goods and services, especially fruits sold in Thailand, as well as encourage Thai businesses to boost investment in Vietnam, particularly in tourism and high-tech agriculture, striving to reach the bilateral trade of 20 billion USD towards balance by 2020.

For his part, Chuan Leekpai shared that Thailand and Vietnam have similar kinds of farm produce, including rice.

He proposed the two countries soon review the bilateral labour cooperation agreement signed in 2015.

The two top legislators agreed to boost cooperation in culture, sports, tourism and people-to-people exchanges thanks to geographical proximity and cultural similarities.

Chairwoman Ngan described defence and security as one of the pillar cooperation fields of Vietnam and Thailand, and welcomed the two countries to regularly maintain effective dialogue mechanisms on defence and security.

She urged the two sides to soon sign agreements on extradition and mutual legal assistance on criminal, civil and trade matters besides strengthening coordination to address issues related to fishermen, fishing vessels, and violations on sea, in the spirit of humanity and bilateral strategic partnership.

Ngan thanked Thailand for supporting Vietnam to become a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2020-2021, saying Vietnam will actively share information with Thailand and other ASEAN member nations to promote issues of ASEAN common concerns.

Vietnam highly appreciates the role of Thailand as ASEAN Chair 2019, she said, adding that Vietnam will continuously promote priority contents set by Thailand this year.

She hoped Thailand will share experience and coordinate with Vietnam to successfully host the 41st General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) and other activities in 2020 when Vietnam holds the Chair of AIPA.

The NA leader called on the two countries to increase cooperation in the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) in line with the common priorities of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam, and to coordinate to promote peace, security, stability, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea, as well as implement fully and effectively the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and soon adopt the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

The top legislator suggested maintaining high-level delegation exchanges, especially between the two countries’ parliamentary groups.

Chuan Leekpai said the close coordination between Vietnamese and Thai legislative bodies will contribute to fueling economic development along with the executive sector.

He highlighted the sound development of the bilateral diplomatic ties over the past 43 years and said he witnessed the development of infrastructure and economy of Vietnam through his visits to the country.

Chairwoman Ngan took this occasion to thank Thailand for creating the best conditions for overseas Vietnamese to live and work in the host country.

She invited Chuan Leekpai to pay an official visit to Vietnam and attend the 41st AIPA General Assembly in Vietnam in 2020.-VNA