Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Pham MinhChinh on October 25 suggested Vietnam and Thailand elevate their strategicpartnership to a new height, at a reception for Thai Deputy Prime Minister andForeign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara, who is on an official visit toVietnam from October 25-26.

Chinh acknowledged Parnpree's selection of Vietnam forhis first overseas trip after his appointment as Deputy PM and FM of Thailand,saying he believes that the visit will contribute to deepening of the strategicpartnership.

The PM conveyed regards from Party General SecretaryNguyen Phu Trong, President Vo Van Thuong, and National Assembly Chairman VuongDinh Hue to the King, the PM and other senior leaders of Thailand.

Parnpree commended Vietnam’s socio-economic achievementsand emphasised that ample room remains for the two countries to strengthen theircooperation. He also affirmed that Vietnam is one of Thailand's leading importantpartners in the region.

Chinh suggested the two countries increase delegationexchanges at all levels and in all the Party, State, Government and legislaturechannels, and effectively materialise bilateral cooperation mechanisms,especially joint cabinet meetings chaired by the two PMs.

In that spirit, the PM reiterated the invitation to hisThai counterpart to pay an official visit to Vietnam in 2024, during which theywill co-chair the 4th Vietnam-Thailand Joint Cabinet Meeting.

He also suggested the two sides maintain meetings of thejoint committee on bilateral cooperation, further materialise the action programmeimplementing the Vietnam - Thailand Enhanced Strategic Partnership for 2022 –2027, promote trade development and investment expansion, effectively put inplace the "Three Connections" initiative that covers supply chain,economies, businesses and localities, and cooperate in new fields such asdigital transformation and green energy.

The PM noted that Thailand remains Vietnam'slargest trade partner in ASEAN and the 9th largest foreign investor, saying thetwo countries should strive to soon bring bilateral trade turnover to 25billion USD in a more balanced fashion, limit trade barriers and furtherfacilitate goods import and export activities.

He called on the Thai government to create morefavorable conditions for the Vietnamese community to work, live and study there,and lauded efforts in  increasing directflights between the two countries to facilitate economic, cultural and tourism cooperation,and people-to-people exchange.

Shairng Chinh’s views, Parnpree said Thai businesses areconfident in potential and investment environment in Vietnam, and want expandinvestment in the country.

He called on the Vietnamese government to furthersupport Thai investors in implementing projects in Vietnamese localities,including those on energy, and pledged that the Thai Government will backforeign businesses, including Vietnamese firms, to expand investment in thecountry.

Thailand will maintain its close coordination withVietnam at multilateral and regional mechanisms, including Mekong sub-regiondevelopment cooperation, and the sustainable management and use of the MekongRiver water resources, he said, adding that Thailand will also continue to workwith Vietnam and other ASEAN countries to promote the grouping’s solidarity,centrality and viewpoints, particularly in important matters like the East Seaissue.

The same day, the Thai official was received by Chairmanof the Party Central Committee's Commission for External Relations Le Hoai Trung,who affirmed that Vietnam always wishes to boost the friendship and the enhancedstrategic partnership with Thailand.

The two sides concurred to consolidate politicaltrust, maintain collaboration in national defence-security, and promote trade-investmentties, as well as people-to-people exchanges./.