Nation strengthens Thai partnership
HA NOI (VNS) — Viet Nam and Thailand have affirmed to raise their relationship to a strategic partnership.
Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra reached the agreement at the second joint cabinet retreat held in Ha Noi on Saturday.
The two leaders acknowledged that co-operation between the two countries had been thriving in many fields.
Bilateral trade had seen continued growth, amounting to some US$8.17 billion in 2011. Thailand had 292 projects at work in Viet Nam with accumulated capital of $6 billion, ranking 10th among the 96 countries and territories investing in the country.
The two sides agreed to strengthen existing co-operation mechanisms and the fight against trans-national crime, particularly trafficking of women and children. Work would also be done to combat terrorism and tackle the issue of illegal fishing in both nations' territorial waters.
The two sides reaffirmed that they would not allow any individuals or hostile forces to use their territories for activities against the other country.
Both sides affirmed to achieve the target of 20 percent annual growth in two-way trade in the 2012-15 period, promote trade and investment co-operation between the two countries on the GMS, East-West Economic Corridor (EWEC) frameworks, and conduct studies on ways and means to facilitate transport of passengers and goods on other potential routes, including Routes No 8 and No 12 linking Thailand, Laos and Viet Nam.
The two Prime Ministers agreed to task their Ministries of Foreign Affairs with co-ordinating relevant ministries and agencies to work on upgrading their bilateral ties to a strategic partnership.
With regard to ASEAN co-operation, the leaders agreed that the two countries would work closely with each other and with other ASEAN countries to successfully realise the goal of an ASEAN Community by 2015.
The two sides reiterated their determination to work closely with other riparian countries to ensure sustainable use of water resources in the Mekong River .
The two Prime Ministers also exchanged views on the recent developments in the East Sea and underlined the importance of peace, stability, and maritime security and safety. — VNS