Both sides expressed their delight at the development of bilateral ties with growing trade. Thailand maintained its position as Vietnam's largest trade partner in ASEAN and ninth largest investor.
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Vietnamese NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue takes part in the online talks. |
In order to continue promoting Vietnam-Thailand enhanced strategic partnership substantially, they agreed to maintain all-level exchanges, especially existing bilateral cooperation mechanisms.
Hue suggested the two countries soon sign the action programme to realize enhanced strategic partnership for the 2021-2025 period, accelerate talks and signing of important legal documents such as extradition agreement and judicial assistance agreement in civil matters, and create favorable conditions for firms to lift two-way trade to 25 billion USD in a more balanced manner.
Vietnam and Thailand should jointly step up Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) cooperation mechanisms, combining GMS development with the process of building ASEAN Community, he said. He also suggested Thailand boost investment in Vietnam in fields of Thailand’s strength and Vietnam’s demand such as tourism, hi-tech agriculture, information technology and clean energy.
The Vietnamese top legislator wished that the two nations would continue offering mutual support at multilateral forums. Thailand would continue working closely with Vietnam to promote ASEAN’s common stance on the East Sea (South China Sea) issue, thus ensuring peace, stability, security, maritime and aviation safety and freedom in line with international law, especially the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982, fully and effectively abiding by the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and soon reaching a practical and effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in accordance with international law.
Chuan Leekpai, for his part, underscored the importance of maintaining peace and stability to contribute to regional development. He expressed his support for bolstering bilateral trade, reducing barriers and deepening ties.
About Thailand’s suggestion to help the transportation of its goods to the third country via Vietnam’s border gates, Hue affirmed that Vietnam always wants to increase intra-ASEAN trade and connectivity between ASEAN and partners worldwide, as economy is one of the pillars of the ASEAN Community.
Hue expressed his wish that the two nations would resume the exchange of tourists in the new situation, especially adopting vaccine passport as well as piloting the connectivity between the two countries’ important destinations.
He proposed the Thai NA President consider the signing of a cooperation agreement between the two legislatures. He informed that the 15th Vietnamese NA will soon establish the Vietnam – Thailand Friendship Parliamentarians’ Group.
Source: VNA