Thailand and Vietnam have agreed to elevate their relations to comprehensive strategic partnership (CSP), according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The ministry’s press release said yesterday that both countries would announce their upgraded ties in June when their leaders are scheduled to hold a joint cabinet retreat in Hanoi.
Vietnam has established the CSP with seven countries including China, Russia, India South Korea, the US, Japan and Australia. In June, Thailand will be the eighth CSP member and the first Asean country.
During his three-day visit, Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son held a bilateral meeting with Thai counterpart Parnpree Bahidhra-Nukara and co-chaired the 5th Meeting of Thailand – Viet Nam Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC).
The meeting was attended by representatives from relevant agencies of both countries to follow up on progress and discuss future steps for Thailand – Vietnam bilateral cooperation.
Both leaders were pleased with the positive trajectory of the partnership in all areas of cooperation. They also shared the same commitment to ensure that Thailand and Vietnam will continue to grow and prosper together, as close neighbors and strategic partners.
During the visit, Son was granted a royal audience with Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin.
Sretha expressed appreciation with the dynamism of Thailand-Vietnan relations, especially the work under the Ayawaddy-Chaophraya-Mekong-Economic-Cooperation-Strategy (ACMECS) framework.
He added that as two major regional economies, both countries should work closely to drive further peace and stability and economic integration in the Mekong sub-region.
In addition, both sides discussed ways to promote three main areas of bilateral cooperation including trade and investment, tourism and infrastructure.
On trade and investment, Sretha asked Vietnam to facilitate Thailand’s goods in transit, especially fruits, at the Vietnam-China border checkpoints.
On tourism, both sides agreed to increase flight connections between the two Congress and support the “Six Countries, One Destination” scheme. On the infrastructure development, they agreed to work together to improve the infrastructure, particularly in connecting the road between Thailand, and Laos to boost trade and investment and people-to-people exchanges.
Sretha is scheduled to visit Hanoi and take part in the 4th Joint Cabinet Retreat in June.
