Bangkok (VNA) – Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh andThai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai co-chaired the third meeting of theVietnam-Thailand Joint Committee on Bilateral Cooperation on January 24-25.

Atthe event in Thailand, the two sides discussed the current partnership betweenthe two countries in all fields,ranging across the fields of politics,defence-security, economy, trade and investment, justice, transport, energy,agro-forestry-fishery, education-training, labour, science-technology,information technology, culture, sports, tourism, people-to-people exchange, aswell as regional and international cooperation.

Theysought specific measures to promote the comprehensive affiliation between thetwo sides in the future.

Sharingdelight at the growth of the enhanced Vietnam-Thailand strategic partnershipover the years, they lauded the effective collaboration between ministries, sectors,and localities of both sides in implementing the action programme realising thebilateral strategic partnership in the 2014-2018 period, and agreed to workclosely to soon finalise and sign aprogramme for the next period.

Theynoted that the bilateral ties in politics, external relations, defence, andsecurity have become more trusting and practical. This has been shown through theregular visits and meetings among senior leaders of both sides; as well as viathe efficiency of cooperation mechanisms such as the Joint Cabinet Meeting, theJoint Committee on Bilateral Cooperation, the Defence Policy Dialogue, the JointWorking Group in politics-security affiliation, and joint sea patrols.

Bothsides concurred to coordinate in organising the fourth meeting in Vietnam, whichis to be co-chaired by the Vietnamese and Thai Prime Ministers, and willfurther strengthen mutual understanding and trust, as well as create motivationfor the growth of bilateral ties.

Thetwo sides will create optimal conditions for businesses to strengthen their partnership,thus raising bilateral trade to 20 billion USD in 2020 and orientating ittowards being more balanced and sustainable.

Theycommitted to provide more favourable conditions for the import-exportactivities of agricultural products, especially fruit, between the twocountries; while also increase the sharing of experience in rice research,production, and exporting.

Thetwo countries underlined the significance of cooperation for sub-regionalconnection, especially in road, waterway, and aviation transport connectivitybetween Vietnam and Thailand, as well as ASEAN countries.

Vietnamlauded the Thai Government’s agreement to expand the occupational areas forgranting work permits to Vietnamese labourers in Thailand and the realisation ofthe scheme.

Bothsides vowed to further promote the cultural and education cooperation as wellas the people-to-people exchange, including the strengthening of teachingVietnamese and Thai languages in each country, while pledging to supportactivities of the Vietnam-Thailand and Thailand-Vietnam FriendshipAssociations.

Thetwo sides expressed pleasure at their bilateralcoordination at regional and international forums, especially within theframework of the ASEAN, the UN, and sub-regional cooperation mechanisms.

Thailandand Vietnam, as the respective ASEAN Chairs in 2019 and 2020, will work withother members of the association to promote ASEAN’s central role in regionalcommon matters, including the East Sea issue.

Theyhighlighted the strategic importance of ensuring maritime and aviation securityand safety in the East Sea, as well as the peaceful settlement of disputes andthe practice of restraint.

Theystressed the need to not complicate the situation nor conduct militarization,respecting international law and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982,fully implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea,and soon reaching the Code of Conduct in the East Sea in a practical andeffective manner.

Lateron January 25, Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh paid a courtesycall to Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha who underscored the significance of theenhanced Vietnam-Thailand strategic partnership and lauded the outcomes of thethird meeting of the Vietnam-Thailand Joint Committee on bilateral cooperation.He described the committee as a mechanism of top importance for boostingbilateral ties.

Minhthanked the Thai Government and people for creating favourable conditions forthe Vietnamese community in the country to integrate into the local society,thus helping fostering bilateral friendship. –VNA