Hanoi: The Prime Minister held discussions with the President of Vietnam to further develop the vision of "joining hands and growing together." Building on past successes, the Thai Prime Minister held discussions with the Vietnamese President to further develop the vision of 'joining hands and growing together,' driving the comprehensive strategic partnership between Thailand and Vietnam towards a shared future.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior of Thailand, met with H.E. Mr. To Lam, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President of Vietnam, at the Tonkin Palace's Stateroom. Their meeting aimed to continue cooperation and follow up on discussions after the Vietnamese President's recent visit to Thailand. During the meeting, Ms. Ratchada Thanadirek, Spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, highlighted several key points.
Thailand emphasized the success of the recent diplomatic interactions and the strong relationship between the two leaders. The Vietnamese President expressed gratitude for the warm reception during his visit to Thailand, which was positively received by both nations. He also appreciated the Prime Minister's visit to Vietnam, underscoring its significance in enhancing bilateral cooperation.
The Prime Minister thanked the Vietnamese President for the hospitality extended during his visit and shared a personal anecdote about a watch gifted to him by the President, which he said helped improve his punctuality. He noted the fruitful business collaborations resulting from discussions in Bangkok and expressed admiration for the Vietnamese President and his spouse. The large Thai delegation, comprising nine ministers and military commanders, signified Thailand's commitment to strengthening ties with Vietnam.
Both leaders reaffirmed their dedication to advancing the comprehensive strategic partnership. The Vietnamese President suggested closer ministerial meetings and discussions through cooperation mechanisms like the Joint Cabinet Meeting (JCR). They committed to promoting the "Three Connects" strategy and set ambitious trade targets, aiming for US$25 billion with plans to expand further.
The Prime Minister expressed Thailand's readiness to support the Three Connects strategy, focusing on green economy cooperation and achieving Net Zero goals. He conveyed confidence in reaching the US$25 billion trade target this year, with potential growth to US$30 billion.
The Vietnamese President proposed enhancing security cooperation, including military, security agency, and maritime levels, and suggested an extradition treaty. The Prime Minister emphasized Thailand's commitment to security collaboration, proposing a 2+2 dialogue between the countries' foreign and defense ministers. He assured strict law enforcement to prevent activities against friendly nations and supported a joint working group meeting.
On the economic front, the Prime Minister addressed Thai businesses' concerns, particularly regarding regulatory changes affecting operations in Vietnam. The Vietnamese President reassured Thai investors of the government's support and commitment to addressing their concerns promptly.
In a gesture of friendship, Thailand plans to donate 12 cranes to Vietnam, symbolizing cooperation in natural resource conservation and the strong bilateral relationship. This donation reflects the shared vision of "joining hands and growing together" in a tangible manner.