The meeting between Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Lê Thị Thu Hằng and Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs at the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs Eksiri Pintaruchi on October 9 in Thailand. — VNA/VNS Photo

BANGKOK — Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Lê Thị Thu Hằng has called on Thailand to continue close coordination with Việt Nam in combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, including information exchange on violations involving fishing vessels and fishermen, as well as collaboration in fisheries and maritime affairs.

During her meeting with Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs at the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs Eksiri Pintaruchi on October 9 in Thailand, Hằng reaffirmed Việt Nam’s strong commitment to addressing IUU fishing and thoroughly implementing the EU’s recommendations. She noted that Việt Nam has issued legal documents, tightened fleet management through vessel monitoring and mandatory installation of tracking devices, and strengthened penalties for violations.

The Thai side highly valued Việt Nam’s efforts in combating IUU fishing, shared experience in marine resource management, and voiced support for deeper cooperation toward sustainable fisheries development.

At the meeting, both sides expressed their satisfaction with the positive outcomes of bilateral cooperation and coordination within multilateral frameworks.

Hằng praised the effective operation of existing mechanisms such as the Joint Cabinet Retreat, the Joint Commission, and political consultation, while underscoring the coordinating role of the two foreign ministries in implementing reached agreements.

She also thanked Thailand for its support in citizen protection, particularly in assisting the safe repatriation of Vietnamese nationals detained in Myanmar.

The two sides agreed to work closely to realise the outcomes of the fifth Việt Nam–Thailand Joint Cabinet Retreat held in May 2025, speed up the completion of the 2026–2030 Action Programme for the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and make careful preparations for upcoming high-level visits and bilateral cooperation mechanisms.

Later the same day, Hằng attended a ceremony celebrating the 80th National Day of Việt Nam (September 2, 1945 – 2025) organised by the Vietnamese Embassy in Thailand, which gathered representatives of the Thai government, parliament, diplomatic corps, business community, and overseas Vietnamese across the country. — VNA/VNS