The two PMs recognised
that the bilateral relations have been stable and developed in all fields from
politics and security to economy and socio-culture, especially after Vietnam
and Thailand established a strategic partnership in 2013.
To further the relationship in the coming time, they agreed to enhance
all-level delegation exchanges and effectively implement cooperation mechanisms
in addition to soon organising the third meeting of the joint committee on
bilateral cooperation, the third foreign minister-level meeting, the third
meeting of the joint committee on trade, and particularly the fourth joint
cabinet meeting.
Both sides vowed efforts to raise bilateral trade to US$20 billion by 2020 and
support each other to become centres for investment and trade in the region.
They agreed to foster rice-related cooperation and provide favourable
conditions for Vietnamese and Thai rice to access each other’s market.
PM Chan-o-cha affirmed
that he will encourage Thai businesses to increase investment in fields
critical to Vietnam’s development such as tourism, support industries, finance,
banking, science-technology, and agro-fisheries.
Both leaders stressed that security-defence cooperation is one of the pillard
of the Vietnam-Thailand strategic partnership. The two countries will step up
sharing defence-related viewpoints and policies while boosting collaboration
between their defence arms and services.
They also reiterated the commitment of not allowing any individuals or
organisations to use this country’s territory to carry out activities
sabotaging the other country. The two sides will coordinate in fighting
terrorism and crimes, dealing with sea-related issues, and promoting
negotiations on agreements on extradition and mutual assistance in criminal
matters.
They also affirmed the importance of reinforcing cooperation and sharing
experience in preventing illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
The PMs agreed to increase transport connectivity through multiple means,
including by road, sea and air, between the two countries and within the
Greater Mekong Subregion such as a bus route linking Thailand, Laos and
Vietnam, a coastal transport route connecting Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam,
and air routes linking Vietnam and Thailand.
They reached a high consensus on working out measures 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 to continue providing optimal
conditions for the Vietnamese community in the country to integrate into the
local society and develop. He also called on Thailand to soon grant travel
documents for old Vietnamese expatriates.
At the talks, the two
leaders also discussed international and regional issues of mutual concern.
They pledged to foster bilateral cooperation at international forums,
especially within the framework of the Greater Mekong Subregion, the
Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS), ASEAN,
Asia Cooperation Dialogue, the East-West Economic Corridor, APEC, and the
United Nations.
PM Chan-o-cha confirmed that he is going to attend the APEC Economic Leaders’
Meeting slated for November in Da Nang city, adding that his country supports
Vietnam’s initiatives within the APEC framework.
Looking back ASEAN’s 50-year journey, the leaders were glad to see that the
ASEAN Community has grown into an important cooperation mechanism for the bloc
itself and for countries in and outside the region.
PM Phuc highly valued Thailand, one of the founding countries of the grouping,
for always maintaining its active role in strategic security and development
issues of the ASEAN Community.
Meanwhile, PM Chan-o-cha stressed the increasingly dynamic, proactive and
responsible role of Vietnam in ASEAN, and expressed his hope that the two
countries will continue their close relations within the bloc’s framework and
contribute to its common successes.
The two sides committed to working closely with each other and with other ASEAN
member states to strengthen the bloc’s unity, maintain its stance and promote
its centrality in issues that challenge the region’s peace and security.
They reiterated the importance of maintaining peace, security and stability as
well as navigation safety and freedom in the East Sea.
They stressed that parties concerned need to fully and efficiently implement
the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC); build, preserve
and improve mutual trust; respect the principles of exercising self-restraint
and banning the use of force; address differences and disputes by peaceful
means in compliance with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on
the Law of the Sea.
The leaders also reaffirmed their support for ASEAN and China to soon have a
Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).
On the occasion, the
PMs witnessed the signing of important documents, including an agreement
between the two governments on cooperation in science, technology, renovation
and creation, and memoranda of understanding between ministries and sectors
pertaining to economy, trade, post, telecommunications, information technology
and banking, as well as those between localities and businesses.
Late on the day, PM Phuc, his spouse and the Vietnamese delegation attended a
banquet hosted by PM Prayut Chan-ocha and his spouse.
Source: VOV