Vietnamese, Thai Prime Ministers co-chair 4th Joint Cabinet Retreat
The two sides agreed to structure cooperation around three main pillars: Partnership for Sustainable Peace, Partnership for Sustainable Development, Partnership for a Sustainable Future.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) receives Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra in Hanoi on May 16 (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) ♕– Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra held talks and co-chaired the fourth Vietnam – Thailand Joint Cabinet Retreat in Hanoi on May 16 following the official welcome ceremony for the Thai leader.
At the meeting, PM Chinh highlighted the special significance of PM Paetongtarn's official visit – her first trip to Vietnam since taking office, and the first Joint Cabinet Retreat between the two countries' PMs in nearly a decade.
Thailand is a close neighbour, an important partner, and a trusted companion sharing common values and interests with Vietnam, he affirmed.
For her part, PM Paetongtarn stressed that Vietnam is one of Thailand’s top partners in the region. Underlining the special Joint Cabinet Retreat mechanism, which Thailand maintains only with neighbouring countries, including Vietnam, the leader expressed her desire to further advance bilateral relationship, making it more intensive and substantive.
The two leaders exchanged views on the situation in their countries and bilateral ties, expressing satisfaction with the strong progress in the Vietnam – Thailand Strategic Partnership in recent years.
With shared commitment and high-level consensus, both sides officially announced the elevation of bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, marking a new chapter in the relationship. This upgrade reflects the countries’ long-term vision, strategic trust, and shared aspirations for a cohesive and sustainable future.
The two sides agreed to structure cooperation around three main pillars: Partnership for Sustainable Peace, Partnership for Sustainable Development, Partnership for a Sustainable Future.
They concurred in further deepening political, defence, and security cooperation to ensure peace and stability in both countries and the region. The leaders also agreed to intensify high-level exchanges and strengthen bilateral cooperation mechanisms, particularly the Joint Cabinet Retreat and the Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation. In addition, they will explore upgrading existing cooperation frameworks and organise regular meetings between the two Prime Ministers at both bilateral and multilateral levels.
The two sides agreed to carry out a series of practical activities to celebrate the 50th founding anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Thailand in 2026. They will work closely together in developing an action programme for implementing the Vietnam – Thailand Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, aiming for its early signing.
They agreed to promote and expand cooperation in the fields of security, defence, and legal and judicial affairs while boosting joint efforts to combat transnational crimes, particularly drug trafficking, human trafficking, and cybercrime. They reaffirmed their commitment not to allow any individual or organisation to use one country's territory to conduct activities against the other.
The fourth Vietnam – Thailand Joint Cabinet Retreat in Hanoi on May 16. (Photo: VNA)
In terms of economic cooperation, the leaders agreed to enhance economic connectivity under the "Three Connections" strategy, with a focus on connecting supply chains, enterprises, and localities, including improving connectivity in land, waterway, and air transport infrastructure, as well as the connectivity of sustainable development strategies.
They pledged to facilitate bilateral import-export activities, aiming to raise trade turnover to 25 billion USD in a more balanced and sustainable manner.
The two sides will create favourable conditions for businesses to access the markets and expand investment in each other’s countries, especially in potential sectors such as clean energy, digital economy, green economy, innovation, and high-tech agriculture. In addition, they will strengthen cooperation in labour, science and technology application, innovation, digital transformation, and green transition, according to the PMs.
Affirming that people-to-people exchange is a valuable bridge in the bilateral relationship, the two sides agreed to strongly promote such exchanges, maximise local-level twinning relationships, and encourage the opening of more direct air routes between their localities.
They also vowed to advance the realisation of the “Six Countries, One Destination” tourism connectivity initiative; and create favourable conditions for Vietnamese and Thai citizens to live, work, and study in each other's countries, thereby contributing to the preservation and development of the friendship and bonds between the two peoples.
Regarding regional and international cooperation, both sides recognised that in the face of increasing complexity in regional and global developments, Vietnam and Thailand will enhance coordination and consultation on regional and international issues of mutual concern. They emphasised the importance of maintaining ASEAN’s solidarity, resilience, and unity in diversity, promoting the bloc’s centrality, sustaining peace, stability, security, safety, and freedom of navigation in the East Sea in accordance with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and accelerating the early finalisation of an effective and substantive Code of Conduct (COC) that is consistent with international law.
On this occasion, Thai PM Paetongtarn invited PM Chinh and other high-ranking Vietnamese leaders to visit Thailand. The host said that he will arrange a trip at an appropriate time.
Concluding the retreat, the two sides adopted a joint statement on the elevation of Vietnam – Thailand relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. They witnessed the exchange of eight cooperation documents in the fields of economy, security, and education; and held a press conference to announce the outcomes of the 4th joint cabinet meeting./.
Vietnam and Thailand have officially upgraded their relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership during the ongoing trip to Vietnam by Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra.
Since the establishment of their diplomatic relations (August 6, 1976), the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Thailand have been continuously strengthened and expanded across all fields. In particular, after the official upgrade of their relations to a strategic partnership in 2013, the ties between the two nations have grown even deeper, reaching new heights of substance and effectiveness.
The ambassador highlighted the longstanding, close, and warm relationship between Vietnam and Thailand, noting that this visit is significant as both sides are working together for upgrading their ties to a higher level.
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Long spoke highly of the dynamic, positive, and comprehensive development of Vietnam – Russia relations in recent years. He affirmed that the Vietnamese Party and State place great importance on further strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia in a substantive and effective manner, in line with the development needs of both nations.
At the conference, participants reported that the Government has so far issued 28 decrees on the delegation of responsibilities and powers between the central Government and two-tier local administrations. Several localities have already piloted the new governance model.
Reality is the ultimate benchmark for success, he said, urging drafting agencies to work out policies that foster development, reduce bureaucratic hurdles, and respect practical conditions.
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The Party chief underscored the need for the press to innovate relentlessly, evolve to keep pace with the country's development, transform into a truly professional, humanistic, and modern sector that serves the cause of the Party, the State, and the people on the path to national construction and development.
The UN Secretary-General praised Vietnam’s remarkable achievements in socio-economic development and international integration in recent years, noting that the country has emerged as a model in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promoting international peace and security, and engaging in key UN processes.
Nghia affirmed that this is a milestone of special significance, affirming and honouring the the Vietnamese revolutionary press’s glorious tradition of 100 years of serving the revolutionary cause of the Party, serving the Fatherland, and serving the people.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
The launch of Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, even before the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is considered a testament to President Ho Chi Minh’s strategic foresight and strong belief in the guiding power of the revolutionary media.
