Vietnam and Thailand pledged to continue expanding and deepening bilateral relationship and cooperation in the future, with a further focus on investment and trade, tourism, agriculture, culture, education, security, defense, joint offshore patrols and criminal prevention, the two nation’s senior officials said Feb 25.
The commitment was made during a Hanoi meeting between Vietnam’s Foreign Affairs Minister Pham Gia Khiem and his Thai counterpart Kasit Pirom.
Both FMs agreed to identify work on finalizing a cooperation agreement between the two ministries of defense and soon organize a political reference meeting between the two foreign ministries.
They also affirmed the two nations will perseveringly implement the agreed principles that do not allow any individual or organization to use their territories for actions that harm each other’s security.
Khiem also assured the Vietnamese side will closely cooperate with and support the Thai side in organizing of the 14th ASEAN Summit, which will also see the presence of Vietnamese PM Nguyen Tan Dung.
Later on the same day, Minister Kasit Pirom was received by the host Prime Minister.
Speaking with the Thai diplomat, PM Dung said Vietnam would actively take part in activities at the coming ASEAN summit and expected to hold talks with the Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to boost cooperation between the two countries.
The bilateral relations between Vietnam and Thailand have developed significantly in various fields including economy, trade, investment, culture, education, health, tourism, security and defense.
Two-way trade reached US$6.2 billion in 2008, up 31 per cent on year. The two nations aims for the bilateral trade value of US$10 billion in 2010. (CPV, The People)
Vietnamese
