Vietnam keen to promote strategic partnership with Thailand
VOV.VN - Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son’s official visit to Thailand from April 10 to April 12 is of great significance for the overall enhancement of the two countries’ strategic partnership, as well as their foreign ministries’ co-operation, thus creating a solid premise for taking bilateral ties to new heights.
Bui Thi Hue, chargé d’affaires of Vietnam in Thailand, made the statement in a recent interview granted to a VOV correspondent ahead of the Vietnamese diplomat’s visit.
During this visit, FM Son will also co-chair the fifth meeting of the countries’ Joint Committee on Bilateral Cooperation.
Regarding the significance of the Minister’s visit to Thailand, Hue said that both nations marked the 10th anniversary of their strategic partnership back in 2023. Over recent years, bilateral relations have been strengthened and grown both fast and practically in a multitude of fields, with profound political trust and bilateral co-operation occurring in economics, trade, investment, and security – defence, thereby showing the bright spots in overall ties.
Concerning the development of mutual relations in recent times, Hue said both sides have worked out an action plan for implementing the enhanced strategic partnership, established back in 2015 for the 2022 to 2027 period that serves as a solid foundation for fostering ties across all key fields.
Thailand desires to continue expanding linkages and friendship with the country, which could be seen in the maintenance of high-level meetings and important co-operation mechanisms. It also respects the Vietnamese role in ASEAN and supports many initiatives put forward by Vietnam at regional and international forums, Hue went on to say.
Thailand is currently the country’s biggest trade partner in ASEAN, with bilateral trade reaching approximating US$19 billion in 2023. Having poured over US$14 billion into 750 projects, it ranks ninth among the 144 foreign investors and second among ASEAN investors in the Vietnamese market, statistics show.
Furthermore, connections in other fields such as security - defence, culture, and education have also obtained practical results, she said.
At the fifth meeting of the Joint Committee on Bilateral Cooperation, the diplomat added that the two sides will discuss measures aimed at fostering ties across the board, from politics - diplomacy, economics - trade - investment to security - defence, on the basis of the action plan for carrying out the enhanced strategic partnership in the 2022 to 2027 period.
They will also look into the implementation of the “Three Connections” initiative to ensure mutual benefits, with a specific focus on digital transformation, green transition, and the circular economy to boost the two economies’ connectivity.
Moreover, the meeting will also discuss preparations for a forthcoming official visit to Vietnam by Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who will also co-chair the fourth joint cabinet meeting during the trip, Hue added.
