Thailand and Vietnam have expressed their intention to achieve bilateral trade target of 15 billion US dollars by the year 2020.
The issue was discussed when Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Acting Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow co-chaired the 4th Thailand – Vietnam Political Consultation Group with Mr. Pham Quang Vinh, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bangkok.
Mr. Sihasak reiterated Thailand’s commitment to enhance bilateral cooperation with Vietnam, which was upgraded to a strategic partnership in 2013.
Both sides attached importance to enhancing regional connectivity by utilizing R8, R9 and R12 ASEAN highway routes for trade and investment benefits. Currently, Thailand is in the process of finalizing three bills related to the Mekong Sub-region Cross-Border Transport Facilitation Agreement.
Both sides also discussed commemorative activities for celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Thai-Vietnamese diplomatic relations. Vietnam and Thailand officially established diplomatic relations on August 6, 1976.
Thailand and Vietnam also agreed to cooperate on consular affairs and set up a mechanism to handle this matter. The Permanent Secretary requested Vietnam to reduce the death sentences handed down to two Thai women for drug offences. The Vice Minister accepted the Permanent Secretary’s request for further consideration.
On ASEAN, Vietnam expressed its appreciation to Thailand for the latter’s role as coordinator for the ASEAN-China relations. Both sides placed importance on peace and security in the region, especially in the South China Sea, and welcomed the recent relocation of China’s oil rig from the disputed area.
Thailand and Vietnam also agreed upon expediting negotiations between ASEAN and China on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea in order to set a legal binding instrument to increase mutual trust, build confidence and reduce tensions in the South China Sea. Presently, four ASEAN Claimant States (Brunei, Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam) are discussing the possibility of tangible measures that ensure avoidance of conflict and build trust among parties concerned in the South China Sea. Thailand will host the Senior Official Meeting of ASEAN-China on the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) in October 2014.
Finally, Mr. Sihasak expressed his appreciation to Vietnam for its understanding of the political situation in Thailand. He also briefed the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam on the recent political developments and the the National Council of Peace and Order’s three-phase roadmap.
