Following high-level meetings in Bangkok, Thailand and Việt Nam have decided to lift their two-way trade to US$20 billion by 2020, almost doubling the current level of $13 billion. — Photo baocongthuong.vn

BANGKOK — Following high-level meetings in Bangkok, Thailand and Việt Nam have decided to lift their two-way trade to US$20 billion by 2020, almost doubling the current level of $13 billion.

Deputy Prime Minister Vũ Đức Đam and his Thai counterpart Thanasak Patimaprakorn, meeting in the Thai capital, expressed their delight at the progress of bilateral ties across the board, especially since the establishment of a strategic partnership in 2013. The talks mark 40 years to the establishment of ties between the two neighbours.

Both sides agreed to further strengthen bilateral ties, including facilitating visits and high-level exchanges, effectively upholding co-operation mechanisms such as the Joint Cabinet Meeting and the foreign ministerial level Joint Co-operation Committee, realising the 2014-2018 action plan, and increasing the use of hotlines between the two navies.

Discussing regional and global issues of shared concern, host and guest committed to close liaisons within the framework of ASEAN and global forums, maintaining ASEAN’s central role in order to ensure peace, stability, co-operation and development in the region.

They shared the view that the sustainable use of Mekong River water resources is necessary to member countries of the Greater Sub-Mekong region. 

Deputy PM Đam asked Thailand to continue assisting Vietnamese workers and consider releasing Vietnamese fishermen who were recently arrested, making it easier to deal with the issue in line with each country’s law and on the basis of their sound bilateral strategic partnership. 

The two Deputy PMs joined cultural and art activities in celebration of the anniversary. They stressed that the “Thai Cultural Days in Việt Nam” (July 28 – August 1) and “Vietnamese Cultural Days in Thailand” (August 9-14) are significant in raising public awareness of each nation’s culture and people. 

At the reception for Deputy PM Đam, Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha expressed his appreciation for the ties with Việt Nam. 

Đam, for his part, reiterated Việt Nam’s consistent policy of valuing the strategic partnership with Thailand and thanked the Thai government for assisting Vietnamese nationals in the country. 

The Vietnamese Deputy PM and Bangkok authorities also attended a ceremony yesterday to attach a plate bearing the Vietnamese name to Khánh Vân pagoda – an ancient pagoda of the Vietnamese community in Thailand. — VNS