Thailand and Vietnam have come to an agreement to transform their relationship into a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in order to achieve bilateral trade goals, sustainable development goals, political-diplomatic assistance, and participation in the areas of people-to-people, as well as common advantages.
Thailand would be the first Asean nation to form a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Vietnam, according to Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-nukara during the Fifth Joint Commission on Thailand-Vietnam Bilateral Cooperation. The gathering, held on Thursday  , in Bangkok, was i- chaired by Mr Parnpree and Vietnam’s Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son.
” As Comprehensive Strategic Partners, we agreed to work together to provide tranquility, security, and success not only to our places but also to the whole place”, Mr Parnpree said.
Also discussed were the possibility of implementing a number of business measures to facilitate market access between the two nations, including a higher livestock import quota and reciprocal recognition agreements for seasonal regional products from both countries.
According to Mr Parnpree, Thailand is presently the 9th biggest foreign investment in Vietnam, while Vietnam is an emerging investment in Thailand.
” Strong confidence is extremely important, expressed across every network and level”, Mr Son said.
“Economically, Thailand- Vietnam international trade exceeded 20 billion ringgit in 2022. Out of 144 nations and territories investing in Vietnam, Thailand comes in ninth place. Within the region, our two places have the largest amount of girl regions”, he added.
According to Mr. Parnpree, it was agreed that both places ‘ opportunities are growing.
To encourage a closer financial partnership, the two countries are to work up in connecting supply chains, regional economy and sustainable development techniques.
Cooperation in fresh areas towards joint growth and lasting development, such as science, technology, the green economy, round economy, digital economy, innovation ecosystem development, equitable energy transition, e- government, cyber security and smart cities, were likewise pinpointed.
Mr Son said that they will also focus on training, society, promoting historical and cultural norms in the two countries, connecting hospitality and other innovative and sustainable tourism designs, “he added
Plans to improve transportation and connectivity– air, land and sea– between Thailand, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia are to be put in place.
Thailand, Vietnam, and the other nations will work together to promote the area as a destination that is accessible to single travelers through the concept of” Six Countries, One Destination,” he continued.
The Thai Foreign Minister stated that local to local partnerships should be strengthened to ensure that local businesses ‘ share of the benefits and enhance the livelihoods of the two countries.
According to him, both nations share the same viewpoint that Asean should fast- track cooperation in areas of digitalisation, green economy, and sustainability, and both will step up their coordination to promote development in the Mekong sub- region, especially through Ayeyawady- Chao Phraya- Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS). Regarding the Myanmar crisis, both Thailand and Vietnam want to see a peaceful, stable and unified Myanmar, Mr Parnpree said.
The two countries expressed concern over the deteriorating situation along the Thai-Myanmar border and agreed that an urgent Asean joint statement is required to address the current situation.
Mr. Son stated that both parties agreed to work together to strengthen and deepen the Enhanced Strategic Partnership between both nations by effectively utilizing exchanges and engagement at the highest level and all other echelons, as well as bilateral cooperation mechanisms. Mr. Son further stated that both parties agreed to support Lao PDR’s efforts to implement Asean’s global priorities, including the South China Sea and Myanmar crisis, as well as the implementation of Asean Community Vision 2045.
I have no doubt that the positive outcomes of this meeting will have an important impact on developing, expanding, advancing, and adding substance to the Enhanced Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and Thailand, and will bring about real advantages to our two peoples, he said.
He said,” I’m confident that the relationship between our two countries has reached a mature stage enough for a new chapter in a deeper, more comprehensive relationship.”
The Vietnamese Foreign Minister considered this a successful meeting, adding that it was an” extremely frank, effective and concrete discussion”.
” The progress of our bilateral relations is commendable, and Foreign Minister Son and I are pleased with it. Both of us recognise that there is more to be done,” said Mr Parnpree.