Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and visiting Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa hold talks in Hanoi on February 24. (Photo: baoquocte.vn)
The agreement was reached during talks in Hanoi on February 24 between Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa who is on an official visit to Vietnam from February 23-25.
Both sides agreed to strengthen high-level exchanges and explore establishing direct communication channels between their ministries to facilitate discussions on mutual concerns.
They pledged to boost cooperation in national defense and security, reaffirming their stance against allowing any individuals or organizations to use their territories against each other. They vowed to coordinate closely in combating transnational crimes, cybercrimes, and fraudulent job recruitment schemes that lure workers abroad under false pretenses.
The ministers set a goal to increase bilateral trade to US$25 billion by easing trade flows, expanding market access, and minimizing trade defense measures. They also agreed to enhance collaboration in digital economy, e-commerce, and green energy.
Both sides concurred that they will maximize the benefits of the ‘Three Connections’ strategy through supply chain integration, business-local government partnerships, and sustainable growth strategies. They will increase air routes, road, and waterway transport connections while supporting Thailand’s ‘Six Countries, One Destination’ tourism initiative.
Son appreciated Thailand’s support in establishing the Vietnam Town in Udon Thani last year and another one in Nakhon Phanom in the coming time.
He proposed that both sides continue collaboration to preserve sites dedicated to President Ho Chi Minh in Thailand, promote Vietnamese temples, and expand Vietnamese and Thai language programmes while encouraging city-to-city cooperation.
Sangiampongsa reaffirmed that Vietnam is one of Thailand’s most important regional partners.
Exchanging views on regional and international issues of mutual concern, the two sides vowed to strengthen ASEAN’s unity and centrality, enhance sustainable development in the Mekong subregion, and uphold peace, stability, and maritime security in the East Sea based on international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa is paying an official visit to Vietnam from February 23-25 at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son. The visiting diplomat is scheduled to attend the second ASEAN Future Forum in Hanoi on February 25-26.
