Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (L) shakes hands with his Thai counterpart Prayut Chan-ocha (Source: VNA)The two PMs recognised that the bilateralrelations have been stable and developed in all fields from politics andsecurity to economy and socio-culture, especially after Vietnam and Thailandestablished a strategic partnership in 2013.
To further the relationship in the coming time,they agreed to enhance all-level delegation exchanges and effectively implementcooperation mechanisms in addition to soon organising the third meeting of thejoint committee on bilateral cooperation, the third foreign minister-levelmeeting, the third meeting of the joint committee on trade, and particularlythe fourth joint cabinet meeting.
[Vietnam aims for deeper relations with Thailand through PM’s visit]
Both sides vowed efforts to raise bilateral trade to 20billion USD by 2020 and support each other to become centres for investment andtrade in the region. They agreed to foster rice-related cooperation and providefavourable conditions for Vietnamese and Thai rice to access each other’smarket.
PM Chan-o-cha affirmed that he will encourageThai businesses to increase investment in fields critical to Vietnam’sdevelopment such as tourism, support industries, finance, banking,science-technology, and agro-fisheries.
Both leaders stressed that security-defencecooperation is one of the pillard of the Vietnam-Thailand strategicpartnership. The two countries will step up sharing defence-related viewpointsand policies while boosting collaboration between their defence arms andservices.
They also reiterated the commitment of notallowing any individuals or organisations to use this country’s territory tocarry out activities sabotaging the other country. The two sides willcoordinate in fighting terrorism and crimes, dealing with sea-related issues,and promoting negotiations on agreements on extradition and mutual assistancein criminal matters.
They also affirmed the importance of reinforcingcooperation and sharing experience in preventing illegal, unreported and unregulatedfishing.
The PMs agreed to increase transportconnectivity through multiple means, including by road, sea and air, betweenthe two countries and within the Greater Mekong Subregion such as a bus routelinking Thailand, Laos and Vietnam, a coastal transport route connectingThailand, Cambodia and Vietnam, and air routes linking Vietnam and Thailand.
They reached a high consensus on working outmeasures to bolster ties in other spheres like labour, agricultural trade,tourism, science-technique, cultural, and people-to-people exchange.
On this occasion, PM Phuc asked Thailand tocontinue providing optimal conditions for the Vietnamese community in thecountry to integrate into the local society and develop. He also called onThailand to soon grant travel documents for old Vietnamese expatriates.
At the talks, the two leaders also discussedinternational and regional issues of mutual concern. They pledged to fosterbilateral cooperation at international forums, especially within the frameworkof the Greater Mekong Subregion, the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong EconomicCooperation Strategy (ACMECS), ASEAN, Asia Cooperation Dialogue, the East-WestEconomic Corridor, APEC, and the United Nations.
PM Chan-o-cha confirmed that he is going toattend the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting slated for November in Da Nang city,adding that his country supports Vietnam’s initiatives within the APECframework.
Lookingback ASEAN’s 50-year journey, the leaders were glad to see that the ASEANCommunity has grown into an important cooperation mechanism for the bloc itselfand for countries in and outside the region.
PMPhuc highly valued Thailand, one of the founding countries of the grouping, foralways maintaining its active role in strategic security and development issuesof the ASEAN Community.
Meanwhile, PM Chan-o-cha stressed the increasingly dynamic, proactive andresponsible role of Vietnam in ASEAN, and expressed his hope that the twocountries will continue their close relations within the bloc’s framework andcontribute to its common successes.
Thetwo sides committed to working closely with each other and with other ASEANmember states to strengthen the bloc’s unity, maintain its stance and promoteits centrality in issues that challenge the region’s peace and security.
Theyreiterated the importance of maintaining peace, security and stability as wellas navigation safety and freedom in the East Sea.
Theystressed that parties concerned need to fully and efficiently implement theDeclaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC); build, preserveand improve mutual trust; respect the principles of exercising self-restraintand banning the use of force; address differences and disputes by peacefulmeans in compliance with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention onthe Law of the Sea.
The leaders also reaffirmed their support for ASEAN and China to soon have aCode of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).
Onthe occasion, the PMs witnessed the signing of important documents, includingan agreement between the two governments on cooperation in science, technology,renovation and creation, and memoranda of understanding between ministries andsectors pertaining to economy, trade, post, telecommunications, informationtechnology and banking, as well as those between localities and businesses.
Lateon the day, PM Phuc, his spouse and the Vietnamese delegation attended abanquet hosted by PM Prayut Chan-ocha and his spouse.-VNA
