Vietnam and Thailand should create a mechanism for promoting rice exports and bringing about prosperity for both countries.
This was emphasized by National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung and his Thai counterpart, Somsak Kiatsuranont, during talks in Hanoi on October 10.
According to both NA leaders, Vietnam and Thailand should establish a joint committee to boost cooperation in rice production and processing to ensure domestic and international food security.
They also briefed each other on socio-economic situation in their respective countries and agreed to enhance ties between their legislative bodies by exchanging delegations of parliamentarians and supporting their governments in boosting economic, trade, investment, tourism, culture, education, and environmental protection cooperation.
Mr Kiatsuranont, who is also the speaker of Thailand\'s House of Representatives, highlighted the friendship between the two countries, which has been solidified by the memorial in Thailand’s Nakhon Phanom province dedicated to Vietnam’s late President Ho Chi Minh.
The memorial will remind our descendents of the fine relationship between Thailand and Vietnam, he said, adding that the two countries should do their best to develop this relationship in the future.
** On the same day, the Thai NA President was received by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, who extended his sympathy over the Thai people’s heavy losses in lives and property caused by floods.
PM Dung expressed his delight at the development of the two countries’ relations in all fields and affirmed Vietnam’s persistent policy of enhancing cooperation with Thailand, especially in rice production to ensure food security as well as improving people’s living conditions, contributing to peace, stability and development of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
He also said the Vietnamese Government highly values the friendly cooperation between the two countries’ legislative bodies.
The government leader proposed that Vietnam and Thailand continue to work closely in using Mekong River water in an efficient and sustainable manner.
Mr Dung welcomed an upcoming visit to Vietnam by Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.
Thai NA President Kiatsuranont said he wishes that legislative and governmental relations will be enhanced for the development of each country, contributing to peace, stability and development of the region and the world.
The two countries would discuss specific cooperation requests, especially in economics, trade and investment, during the upcoming visit by Prime Minister Yingluck next week, he said.
