Thai PM's visit to boost friendship: PM Dung

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung (right) receives his Thai counterpart Prayuth Chan-ocha yesterday in Ha Noi.- VNA/VNS Photo Duc Tam

At talks in Ha Noi yesterday, Dung said the visit would tighten the friendship.

Both said that the relationship had grown in all fields, especially after it was lifted to strategic partnership during Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong's Thailand visit in June last year.

The two sides agreed to continue close co-ordination, speed up the exchange of high-ranking delegations and hold such things as joint cabinet meetings.

They said they would direct ministries, sectors and localities to implement agreements and facilitate investment and trade activities in order to gross US$15 billion in two-way trade by 2020.

Dung said Viet Nam appreciated Thailand's efforts as a coordinator for ASEAN-China relations, saying they had contributed to maintaining the bloc's common voice and solidarity in the East Sea issue.

Both sides were unanimous in working together to address disputes by peaceful measures in line with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea and accelerate the negotiation on a Code of Conduct in the East Sea.

The Thai leader invited PM Dung to attend the Greater Mekong Sub-region Summit in Thailand next month and co-chair the third joint cabinet meeting in 2015.

After the talks, the two PMs witnessed the signing of the 2014-2016 action programme on the implementation of the Viet Nam-Thailand strategic partnership, the two countries' cultural co-operation programme for 2014-2016 and an agreement between the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho and Thailand's Chachongsao province.

President Truong Tan Sang (R) receives Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha in Ha Noi.

At a meeting with President Truong Tan Sang yesterday, the Thai Prime Minister said appreciated Viet Nam for facilitating operations of Thai enterprises involved in oil gas and fishing in the country.

He also said both countries should use their current road and seaway routes to form joint tourism-served tours.

The Thai leader said there was a need to reinforce collaboration among ASEAN states, especially between Thailand and Viet Nam in the rapidly changing world.

Agreeing with the Thai PM's proposal of expanding co-operation among ASEAN nationss, the State leader hoped that with its role as ASEAN's co-ordinator at regional forums, Thailand would help address difficulties facing the bloc and build a united ASEAN community.

National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung (R) meets with Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha in Ha Noi.

The Thai leader was also received by National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung who said the visit would push for stronger bilateral ties, particularly in politics, economics, security, defence, tourism, culture and education.

Both sides agreed to enhance parliamentary co-operation through all-level delegation exchanges and experience sharing.

The host invited Thai parliamentary leaders to attend the 132nd Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly in Ha Noi in 2015.