Bangkok: The Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, held a telephone conversation with the Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Mr. Pham Minh Chinh, to congratulate him on his assumption of office. The Prime Minister expressed his commitment to advancing cooperation in all areas under the framework of a comprehensive strategic partnership, reaffirming readiness to work together to promote economic, trade, and investment connectivity.
According to Thai News Agency, during the conversation, the Prime Minister thanked the Vietnamese Prime Minister for his congratulatory call and extended condolences for the losses and damage caused by Typhoon Bualoi in late September. He also congratulated Vietnam on the 80th anniversary of its National Day on September 2nd, expressing confidence that cooperation between Thailand and Vietnam, as the two largest economies in the Greater Mekong Subregion, will drive sustainable economic growth and development in the region.
The Vietnamese Prime Minister expressed gratitude for the congratulations and the opportunity to lead the government, hoping for continued success under the Prime Minister's leadership. Vietnam affirmed its commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and cooperation, following the elevation of their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in May. Both sides acknowledged that their strengthened cooperation amid a rapidly changing global situation will significantly impact ASEAN and the global community.
The discussion also covered strengthening cooperation in security, trade, and investment mechanisms to achieve the US$25 billion trade target and enhancing cooperation in education, cultural exchanges, and addressing illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. They also focused on cooperation in the Greater Mekong Subregion and strengthening ASEAN to contribute to regional stability and peace.
The Prime Ministers also addressed the situation on the Thai-Cambodian border. The Prime Minister reaffirmed his government's commitment to resolving the issue peacefully with Cambodia through bilateral mechanisms, while protecting Thailand's sovereignty. He expressed hope for a bilateral meeting leading to a joint signing in Malaysia later this month. Thailand hopes Cambodia will comply with conditions such as the withdrawal of heavy weapons, mine clearance, suppression of online scammers, and management of border intrusions. The Vietnamese Prime Minister welcomed Thailand's commitment to peaceful negotiations and expressed hope for lasting peace between Thailand and Cambodia.
Both Prime Ministers hope to meet at the ASEAN Summit in Malaysia later this month to deepen cooperation on various issues. Thailand also invited Vietnam to the Multilateral Commerce Center Summit in December, reaffirming commitment to accelerating cooperation in all areas, particularly in the economic sector. Both sides hope to promote mutual investment, especially in agriculture, technology, and manufacturing sectors.