The view was shared by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and his Thai counterpart Yingluck Shinawatra during talks in Hanoi on November 30.

Mr Dung said the Thai PM’s visit will help strengthen traditional ties of friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

PM Shinawatra thanked Vietnam for its valuable assistance to Thailand during its recent historic floods and affirmed that Thailand has always attached great importance to boosting multi-faceted cooperation with Vietnam.

Both host and guest expressed delight at the strong progress in bilateral relations since the establishment of diplomatic ties 35 years ago.

They agreed to continue exchanging high-ranking visits and to accelerate the implementation of existing cooperation mechanisms within bilateral, regional, and international frameworks.

The two countries will strengthen cooperation in all fields, especially in economics, trade, investment, education, training, health care, tourism, rice production, labour, security, national defence, and crime prevention, the two PMs said.

PM Dung affirmed that Vietnam encourages Thai businesses to invest in the country, particularly in the central region.

Meanwhile, PM Shinawatra proposed that the two governments iron out snags, creating favorable conditions for an increase in trade exchanges, especially in fully exploiting the East-West corridor.

The two PMs vowed not to allow any organizations or individuals use their territories to carry out actions which could harm each other's states.

They exchanged views on flood prevention in their respective countries and stressed the need to strengthen coordination among regional countries to use Mekong River water resources in a sustainable manner.

They proposed that Vietnam and Thailand work closely together to effectively implement ASEAN’s available mechanisms so as to successfully build the ASEAN community in 2015.

*** On the same day, PM Yingluck Shinawatra met with State President Truong Tan Sang who said Vietnam wants to forge closer ties with Thailand for mutual benefit and the greater benefit of the ASEAN community. He added that upcoming negotiations of a Vietnam-Thailand strategic partnership will open a new chapter in bilateral relations in all fields and contribute to building the ASEAN community.

Mr. Sang praised Thailand’s recent achievements and the results of talks between PM Yingluck Shinawatra and her counterpart Nguyen Tan Dung.

He thanked the Thai Government and its people for assisting overseas Vietnamese people to live and work in the country. Vietnam will be a trustful friend and partner of Thailand, Mr. Sang affirmed.

PM Shinawatra appreciated the new commitment to collaboration between the two countries and agreed to develop bilateral ties into a strategic partnership. She asserted that Thailand will not allow any organizations to use its territory to oppose Vietnam.

Thailand will boost cooperation in economics, energy and tourism with Vietnam, she said.