Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân helds talks with Speaker of the Thai House of Representatives Chuan Leekpai in Bangkok on Tuesday. — VNA/VNS Photo Trọng Đức

BANGKOK Việt Nam attaches great importance to its partnership with Thailand, Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân said during talks with Speaker of the Thai House of Representatives Chuan Leekpai in Bangkok yesterday.

She spoke highly of the development of bilateral relations over the past 43 years, especially since the establishment of the strategic partnership in 2013 on the occasion of the visit to Thailand by Party General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng.

She conveyed the congratulations from Party General Secretary, President Trọng on the occasion of the coronation of King Maha Vajiralongkorn in May. Việt Nam hoped to welcome the King to Việt Nam, and Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha to the country to co-chair the fourth joint cabinet meeting between the two countries in late 2019, Ngân said.

At the talks, the two top legislators discussed co-operation between the two countries in economy, trade, and investment.

Ngân suggested Thailand make it easier for the trade of Vietnamese goods and services, especially fruits sold in Thailand, as well as encourage Thai businesses to invest in Việt Nam, particularly in tourism and high-tech agriculture, striving to reach bilateral trade of US$20 billion towards balance by 2020.

For his part, Chuan Leekpai said Thailand and Việt Nam had similar kinds of farm produce, including rice.

He proposed the two countries review the bilateral labour co-operation agreement signed in 2015.

The two top legislators agreed to boost co-operation in culture, sports, tourism and people-to-people exchanges thanks to geographical proximity and cultural similarities.

Ngân described defence and security as a pillar co-operation field of Việt Nam and Thailand, and welcomed the two countries to regularly maintain dialogue mechanisms on defence and security.

She urged the two sides soon sign agreements on extradition and mutual legal assistance on criminal, civil and trade matters besides strengthening co-ordination to address issues related to fishermen, fishing vessels and violations at sea, in the spirit of humanity and partnership.

Ngân thanked Thailand for supporting Việt Nam's successful run to become a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2020-21, saying Việt Nam would share information with Thailand and other ASEAN nations to promote issues of ASEAN common concerns.

Việt Nam highly appreciated the role of Thailand as ASEAN Chair 2019, she said, adding that Việt Nam would promote priority contents set by Thailand this year.

She hoped Thailand would share experience and work with Việt Nam to host the 41st General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) and other activities in 2020 when Việt Nam chairs the assembly.

The NA leader called on the two countries to increase co-operation in the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) in line with the common priorities of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Việt Nam, and to co-ordinate to promote peace, security, stability, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea, as well as implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and adopt the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

The top legislator suggested maintaining delegation exchanges, especially between the two countries’ parliamentary groups.

Chuan Leekpai said the co-ordination between Vietnamese and Thai legislative bodies would contribute to economic development.

He highlighted the sound development of bilateral diplomatic ties over the past 43 years and said he had witnessed Viet Nam's infrastructure and economy development through his visits to the country.

Ngân took this occasion to thank Thailand for creating the best conditions for overseas Vietnamese to live and work in the host country.

She invited Chuan Leekpai to visit Việt Nam and attend the 41st AIPA General Assembly in 2020. — VNS