Vietnamese FM’s official visit to boost stronger ties with Thailand
VOV.VN - Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son held a meeting with Thai Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn as part of his official visit to Thailand from April 10 to April 12, where he is also co-chairing the fifth Meeting of the Vietnam - Thailand Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC).
FM Son congratulated Thailand on their achievements recorded during in their post-COVID recovery period, stating that they will continue reaping further successes in building themselves into a prosperous nation which plays an active role in the region and the world.
He also expressed his gratitude for the sentiments that the Thai King and the Princess herself have given to Vietnam, with the Princess’s song and performance about the country called “Vietnam an long” (Vietnam at peace) at Chulalongkorn University being a vivid illustration.
The Vietnamese diplomat was appreciative of the projects sponsored by the Princess, including one on improving the overall quality of life for children and youths in the Asia – Pacific region, whilst also outlining his hopes that the she will re-visit Vietnam soon.
In response, the Thai Princess applauded the nation’s rapid socio-economic development over recent times, affirming that she will continue carrying out support projects in the nation.
She therefore consented to offer favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community in Thailand, whilst backing the preservation and promotion of Vietnamese cultural values in Thailand, thereby contributing to the friendship and co-operation that exists between the two countries.
Minister Son then paid a courtesy call to Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, during which he conveyed the regards and greetings from Vietnamese leaders to Thailand on the occasion of the Songkran festival.
Joint co-operative ties are at their best, he emphasized, affirming economic connectivity between the two countries aims to overcome numerous disadvantages in the spirit of “cooperation for mutual benefit and development”.
He urged that both sides should work to remove bottlenecks and facilitate more trade, striving to fulfill the two-way trade target of US$25 billion by 2025 in a more balanced direction.
Highlighting Thailand’s various initiatives, Minister Son agreed to ramp up tourism co-operation with regional countries, noting that it can be considered necessary to work together to develop infrastructure and multimodal transport.
He also suggested promoting the teaching of Vietnamese and Thai languages in each nation, whilst also promoting Vietnamese cultural and historical values in Thailand, particularly the monuments dedicated to President Ho Chi Minh in Nakhon Phanom, Udon Thani, and Phichit.
Thai PM Srettha underscored the significance of the JCBC mechanism in strengthening bilateral collaboration in all areas, making the Thailand - Vietnam Enhanced Strategic Partnership develop in a deeper and more practical way that brings benefits to the people of each nation.
Thailand places great importance on ramping up its co-operative ties with Vietnam across multiple fields, particularly in economics, trade, and investment, he affirmed, hoping to concretise these links through specific projects within the “Three Connections” initiative.
He also proposed that the Vietnamese side co-ordinate to roll out the “several countries, one destination” to beef up tourism co-operation.
Additionally, the Thai PM anticipates that Vietnam will encourage airlines to open a direct service to Udon Thani city where a large number of Vietnamese expats are living as a means of strengthening tourism and people-to-people exchanges.
