VietNamNet Bridge – Viet Nam and Thailand have agreed to boost co-operation in search and rescue manoeuvres, joint sea patrols, exchange of delegations and experience in logistics.

The two countries will also improve co-ordination within the framework of defence co-operation among ASEAN member countries.

The agreement was reached at a meeting between Chief of General Staff of the Viet Nam People's Army Lt-General Do Ba Ty and Commander of the Defence Forces of the Royal Thai Army General Songkitti Jaggabatara in Ha Noi yesterday, Aug 2.

The Thai visitors will wrap up their three-day official visit to Viet Nam today.

Meanwhile, Viet Nam and Thailand are celebrating 35 years of diplomatic relations with calls for building the ASEAN Community by 2015 among other regional goals.

Foreign Minister Assistant Pham Quang Vinh reiterated Viet Nam's unswerving policy of respecting relations with Thailand and other nations in the region at a workshop held by the Viet Nam Diplomatic Academy in Ha Noi yesterday.

"Developing long-term and comprehensive relations with Thailand will benefit both countries and contribute to peace, stability and development in Southeast Asia," he said.

Vinh emphasised the need for the two members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to boost relations within regional frameworks, including the East-West Corridor and the Mekong Sub-region.

Thai Ambassador to Viet Nam Anuson Chinvanno highlighted the huge leaps forward in bilateral relations since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1976.