National Assembly Chairman Vương Đình Huệ and Thai House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Cooperation between the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Việt Nam and the House of Representatives of the Kingdom of Thailand. VNA/VNS Photo

BANGKOK – Việt Nam and Thailand on Thursday agreed on major directions to further enhance the roles of legislative bodies in boosting trust, creating favourable conditions and promoting cooperation across various sectors between the two countries.

This included the effective implementation of collaboration mechanisms and the action programme to implement the strategic partnership for the period of 2022-2027.

The statement was released after the talks between National Assembly Chairman Vương Đình Huệ and Thai House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha on Thursday.

The visit of NA Chairman Huệ from December 7-10, takes place on the 10th anniversary of the Strategic Partnership between Việt Nam and Thailand (2013-2023).

Based on that spirit, both leaders expressed delight at the robust development of the Việt Nam-Thailand Strategic Partnership in all areas. Within ASEAN, Thailand continues to be Việt Nam's largest trading partner with a record bilateral trade turnover reaching nearly US$22 billion in 2022 and the second-largest investor in Việt Nam at around $14 billion.

The leaders committed to striving to reach a bilateral trade turnover of $25 billion, aiming for a more balanced trade relationship, facilitating and reducing trade barriers and creating a favourable environment for businesses from both countries to expand their investments and operations.

Thailand's top legislator expressed his agreement on the need for close cooperation, creating a favourable legal framework to promote the successful implementation of the ‘Three Connects’ strategy, including connecting and establishing new supply chains; connecting businesses and localities of both countries; and connecting efficient digital economic transformation and sustainable green economy construction.

He also proposed increased collaboration in global areas such as climate change, environmental protection, health and pandemic prevention.

NA Chairman Huệ highly appreciated Thailand's support in establishing the Việt Nam Study Centre in Udon Thani Province in Thailand. He expressed his hope that Thailand will continue to support the Vietnamese community and create favourable conditions for the operation of Vietnamese associations as well as the preservation and promotion of President Hồ Chí Minh's historical sites in Thailand.

Within the framework of parliamentary cooperation, both leaders agreed to enhance exchanges and interaction activities between young and female lawmakers. They also agreed to organise activities to exchange experiences in building legal frameworks, consult and support each other at multilateral parliamentary forums and strengthen the supervision of the implementation of bilateral agreements and cooperative agreements between the two countries.

Discussing regional and international issues of mutual concern, the two leaders affirmed their commitment to continue enhancing consultation and close coordination between the two countries. They emphasised the unity and central role of ASEAN in regional issues, coordinating the sustainable management and utilisation of water resources in the Mekong River.

They also reaffirmed the importance of maintaining ASEAN solidarity and a common stance on the East Sea (internationally known as the South China Sea) issues.

Building on the strong bond and achievements of their cooperation, NA Chairman Huệ said he believed that both sides need to make concerted efforts to elevate the relationship to new heights.

NA Chairman Huệ used the occasion to invite Thai House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha to visit Việt Nam, which the latter happily accepted.

At the end of the talks, both leaders signed a Memorandum of Cooperation between the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Việt Nam and the House of Representatives of the Kingdom of Thailand.

The leaders also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation between the Office of the Vietnamese National Assembly and the Secretariat of the Thai House of Representatives.

On this occasion, within the premises of the Thai National Assembly, the two leaders planted two banyan trees brought from Việt Nam as Việt Nam’s gift to the Thai National Assembly. – VNS