General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Nguyen Phu Trong and his entourage arrived in Bangkok on June 25, starting his official visit to Thailand at the invitation of Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

The delegation was welcomed at Don Muang International Airport by Thai Deputy Prime Minister Yokol Limlemthong, Minister of Interior Charupon Ruangsuwan, and Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Ngo Duc Thang among others.

The visit aims to continue the synchronous and comprehensive implementation of foreign affairs activities and affirm Vietnam’s policy of prioritising cooperative ties with the regional countries.

The visit asserts that Vietnam is a responsible and active member nation of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) that is willing to, together with Thailand and other member countries, build a united, integrated and strong ASEAN community for peace, friendship, cooperation and development in the Southeast Asian region.

It manifests Vietnam’s wish to upgrade its relations with Thailand to a new height, and strengthen the friendship, mutual trust and understanding between the two countries.

The same day, as part of the visit, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh met with Chairman of the Asian Peace and Reconciliation Council (APRC) Surakiet Sathienthai.

Deputy PM Phuc hailed the APRC’s activities, saying that regional disputes should be settled in respect for international law, for peace, stability and development of each country and the region.

During the meeting, the two sides also discussed issues of common concern.-VNA