Hanoi (VNA) – Lawmakers of Vietnam and Thailandshould continue to share common viewpoints and support each other in issues ofcommon concern at international and regional inter-parliamentary forums, thuscontributing to peace, stability and development in Asia-Pacific.

The remark was made during talks in Hanoi onAugust 14 between Chairwoman of the National Assembly (NA) of Vietnam NguyenThi Kim Ngan and President of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) ofThailand Pornpetch Wichitcholchai, who is on an official visit to Vietnam fromAugust 13 to 16.

The two sides noted the soundly developingrelations between the countries, which can be seen through regular mutualvisits by high-ranking delegations.

Chairwoman Ngan affirmed Vietnam’s consistentpolicy of prioritising the strategic partnership with Thailand. She asked bothsides to work more closely to effectively carry out the plan of action to implementtheir strategic partnership between 2014 and 2018, as well as importantcooperation mechanisms such as the joint cabinet meeting, the politicalconsultation, the high-level dialogue on security, and the dialogue on defencepolicy.

The officials said to optimise the countries’cooperation potential, specialised agencies of the two parliaments shouldclosely supervise the Governments’ cooperation agreements and maintaindelegation exchanges at all levels. The two parliamentary friendship groupsalso need to increase connections.

Highlighting thriving trade and investment ties,they noted Thailand ranks 10th among foreign investors in and is the biggestASEAN trade partner of Vietnam, which in turn is the eighth largest foreigninvestor in Thailand.

Bilateral trade hit 12.5 billion USD in 2016, up8.9 percent year on year, and approximated 7 billion USD in the first half of2017, up 22.5 percent from a year earlier.

Chairwoman Ngan asked the two sides tocoordinate more strongly to reach the targeted trade revenue of 20 billion USDin 2020 and reduce trade imbalance since Vietnam still records high deficit intrade with Thailand.

They should provide more favourable conditionsfor Vietnamese and Thai businesses to boost trade and investment activities, sheadded.

She pledged optimal conditions of the NA and theGovernment of Vietnam for Thai firms to invest in such fields as tourism(especially marine tourism), textile-garment, footwear, cosmetics, food,agricultural products, machinery, chemistry and material production. These arethe areas that match Thailand’s strength and Vietnam’s potential.

Echoing his host’s viewpoint, NLA PresidentPornpetch Wichitcholchai said the two countries need to step up partnership intrade and investment and gradually balance their trade.

Thailand wants more Vietnamese investment, henoted, stressing that the two legislative agencies are ready to work togetherto resolve obstacles facing investors.

In 2016, about 800,000 Vietnamese tourists cameto Thailand, but only 260,000 Thais visited Vietnam. Pornpetch Wichitcholchaisaid he hopes after more routes linking the countries are inaugurated, thenumber of Thai visitors to Vietnam will surge.

Regarding cooperation in ASEAN, Chairwoman Ngansaid as ASEAN members, Vietnam and Thailand need to enhance solidarity topromote the bloc’s unity, strength and central role. They should persist inASEAN’s common principles and viewpoints on regional global issues.

She urged further coordination with each otherand with other Mekong countries to promote cooperation, management andsustainable use of the river’s water resources, and to effectively implementthe outcomes of the seventh Summit of the Ayeyawady – Chao Phraya – MekongEconomic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS 7), held in October 2016.

In terms of agriculture, fisheries and labour,the legislators discussed the acceleration of signing a new memorandum ofunderstanding on agricultural cooperation between Vietnam and Thailand, and thesigning of an agreement on setting up a hotline for fishery activities at sea.

Ngan suggested both sides consider expanding thefields and jobs opened for Vietnamese workers in Thailand. The two countries’labour ministries need to promptly carry out relevant procedures so thatThailand can officially recruit Vietnamese workers.

She also thanked the Thai Government forfavourable conditions for Vietnamese-Thais to integrate into the local societyand for the construction and management of the relic sites of Vietnam’s latePresident Ho Chi Minh in Udon Thani and Nakhon Phanom provinces.

At the talks, the officials discussedinternational and regional issues of shared concern. Chairwoman Ngan saidVietnam wants to keep coordinating with Thailand to strengthen ASEAN’ssolidarity, boost the bloc’s common voice and role in settling security anddevelopment affairs in the region, and help deal with East Sea disputes throughpeaceful means in line with international law.

Later on August 14, Chairwoman Ngan hosted abanquet in honour of NLA President Pornpetch Wichitcholchai, his spouse andother members of the Thai delegation.-VNA