Thứ Sáu, 29/07/2016, 16:14 (GMT+7)
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President hopes for elevated ties with Thailand

President Tran Dai Quang has affirmed Vietnam’s consistent policy of attaching importance to the strategic partnership with Thailand and expressed his wish for the ties to see new progresses.

The head of State made the remarks at a reception for Thai Deputy Prime Minister Tanasak Patimapragorn in Hanoi on July 28, who is in Vietnam to attend “Thai Cultural Days”, marking the 40th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic ties (August 6).

President Tran Dai Quang and Thai Deputy Prime Minister Tanasak Patimapragorn. (Credit: VNA)
President Tran Dai Quang and Thai Deputy Prime Minister Tanasak Patimapragorn. (Credit: VNA)

He used the occasion to thank Thailand for its US$100,000 aid package to support Vietnam’s southern localities struck by drought and saltwater intrusion.

The leader suggested the two countries step up their bilateral co-operation as well as their collaboration with other countries and international organisations to manage and use the Mekong River’s water resources in a sustainable and effective manner, and in accordance with international practice, thus ensuring interests of countries at the lower reach of the river.

He underscored the need for the two sides to actively implement the joint statement of the third Vietnam-Thailand Cabinet Meeting, the plan of action realising the bilateral strategic partnership for 2014-2018, and bilateral co-operative mechanisms, with attention paid to scheduling the third meeting of the Vietnam-Thailand Joint Commission on Bilateral Co-operation.

President Tran Dai Quang called for joint efforts to set forth specific measures to put into place the action programme on Vietnam-Thailand trade and investment for 2015-2016, gearing towards a two-way trade value of US$20 billion in 2020.

The president suggested the two countries continue their close co-ordination with Laos and Cambodia to accelerate the construction of the Thailand-Cambodia-Vietnam coastal transport route and launch bus services linking Vietnam with its two neighbours of Thailand and Laos.

Regarding the East Sea issue, President Tran Dai Quang appreciated Thailand’s position on valuing peace, stability and sustainable development in the waters and stressing the need to fully and effectively effectuate the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea and work towards the early formation of a Code of Conduct in the East Sea.

He noted his wish that Thailand, as an important ASEAN member, would enhance its co-ordination with Vietnam and other ASEAN member countries to maintain the bloc’s common stance on the issue in order to ensure peace, stability, and maritime security and safety in the East Sea.

For his part, Tanasak Patimapragorn affirmed that Thailand stands ready to join hands with Vietnam across all fields, thus contributing to strengthening ASEAN’s intra-bloc affiliation.

He described cultural, tourism and sport collaboration as a spotlight in the bilateral ties and stressed Thailand’s views to address maritime issues in the spirit of the strategic partnership and through diplomatic channels between the two countries’ competent agencies and the respective embassies.

(Source: NDO)

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