Bangkok (VNA) – Vietnam alwaysattaches great importance to the reinforcement and development of the strategicpartnership with Thailand, Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi KimNgan said during talks with Speaker of the Thai House of Representatives ChuanLeekpai in Bangkok on August 27.

She spoke highly of the strong development ofthe bilateral cooperative relations over the past 43 years, especially sincethe establishment of the strategic partnership in 2013 on the occasion of thevisit to Thailand by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.

She conveyed the congratulations from PartyGeneral Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong on the occasion of the coronationof King Maha Vajiralongkorn in May. Vietnam hopes to welcome the King in anearly state visit to Vietnam, and Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha in anofficial visit to the country to co-chair the fourth joint cabinet meetingbetween the two countries in Vietnam in late 2019, Ngan said.

At the talks, the two top legislators exchanged ideason cooperation between the two countries in economy, trade, and investment.

Chairwoman Ngan suggested Thailand make iteasier for the trade of Vietnamese goods and services, especially fruits soldin Thailand, as well as encourage Thai businesses to boost investment inVietnam, particularly in tourism and high-tech agriculture, striving to reachthe bilateral trade of 20 billion USD towards balance by 2020.

For his part, Chuan Leekpai shared that Thailandand Vietnam have similar kinds of farm produce, including rice.

He proposed the two countries soon review thebilateral labour cooperation agreement signed in 2015.

The two top legislators agreed to boostcooperation in culture, sports, tourism and people-to-people exchanges thanksto geographical proximity and cultural similarities.

Chairwoman Ngan described defence and securityas one of the pillar cooperation fields of Vietnam and Thailand, and welcomedthe two countries to regularly maintain effective dialogue mechanisms ondefence and security.

She urged the two sides to soon sign agreementson extradition and mutual legal assistance on criminal, civil and trade mattersbesides strengthening coordination to address issues related to fishermen,fishing vessels, and violations on sea, in the spirit of humanity and bilateralstrategic partnership.

Ngan thanked Thailand for supporting Vietnam tobecome a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2020-2021, sayingVietnam will actively share information with Thailand and other ASEAN membernations to promote issues of ASEAN common concerns.

Vietnam highly appreciates the role of Thailandas ASEAN Chair 2019, she said, adding that Vietnam will continuously promotepriority contents set by Thailand this year.

She hoped Thailand will share experience and coordinatewith Vietnam to successfully host the 41st General Assembly of the ASEANInter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) and other activities in 2020 when Vietnamholds the Chair of AIPA.

The NA leader called on the two countries toincrease cooperation in the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) in line with thecommon priorities of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam, and tocoordinate to promote peace, security, stability, safety and freedom ofnavigation and aviation in the East Sea, as well as implement fully andeffectively the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) andsoon adopt the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

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

Chuan Leekpai said the close coordinationbetween Vietnamese and Thai legislative bodies will contribute to fuelingeconomic development along with the executive sector.

He highlighted the sound development of thebilateral diplomatic ties over the past 43 years and said he witnessed thedevelopment of infrastructure and economy of Vietnam through his visits to thecountry.

Chairwoman Ngan took this occasion to thankThailand for creating the best conditions for overseas Vietnamese to live andwork in the host country.

She invited Chuan Leekpai to pay an officialvisit to Vietnam and attend the 41st AIPA General Assembly in Vietnam in 2020.-VNA