VN, Thailand should keep mutual support at int’l parliamentary forums
VGP - Lawmakers of Viet Nam and Thailand should continue to share common viewpoints and support each other in issues of common concern at international and regional inter-parliamentary forums, thus contributing to peace, stability and development in Asia-Pacific.
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NA Chairwoman Ngan and President of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) of Thailand Pornpetch Wichitcholchai |
The remark was made during talks in Ha Noi on August 14 between Chairwoman of the National Assembly (NA) of Viet Nam Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan and President of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) of Thailand Pornpetch Wichitcholchai, who is on an official visit to Viet Nam from August 13 to 16.
The two sides noted the strong development in relations between the two countries, which can be seen through regular mutual visits by high-ranking delegations.
Chairwoman Ngan affirmed Viet Nam’s consistent policy of prioritising the strategic partnership with Thailand. She asked both sides to work more closely to effectively carry out the plan of action to implement their strategic partnership between 2014 and 2018, as well as important cooperation mechanisms such as the joint cabinet meeting, the political consultation, the high-level dialogue on security, and the dialogue on defence policy.
The officials stated that in order to optimise the countries’ cooperation potential, specialised agencies of the two parliaments should closely supervise the Governments’ cooperation agreements and to maintain delegation exchanges at all levels. The two parliamentary friendship groups also need to increase connections.
Highlighting thriving trade and investment ties, it was noted that Thailand ranks 10th among foreign investors and is the biggest ASEAN trade partner of Viet Nam, which in turn is the eighth largest foreign investor in Thailand.
Bilateral trade hit US$12.5 billion in 2016, up 8.9% year on year, and approximated US$7 billion in the first half of 2017, up 22.5% from a year earlier.
Chairwoman Ngan asked the two sides to coordinate strongly in order to reach the targeted trade revenue of US$20 billion in 2020 and to reduce trade imbalance since Viet Nam still has records of high deficit in trade with Thailand.
They should provide more favourable conditions for Vietnamese and Thai businesses to boost trade and investment activities, she added.
She pledged optimal conditions of the NA and the Government of Viet Nam for Thai firms to invest in such fields as tourism (especially marine tourism), textile-garment, footwear, cosmetics, food, agricultural products, machinery, chemistry and material production. These are the areas that match Thailand’s strength and Viet Nam’s potential.
Echoing his host’s viewpoint, NLA President PornpetchWichitcholchai stated that thethe two countries need to step up partnership in trade and investment and gradually balance their trade.
Thailand wants more Vietnamese investment, he stressed that the two legislative agencies are ready to work together to resolve obstacles facing investors.
In 2016, about 800,000 Vietnamese tourists came to Thailand, but only 260,000 Thais visited Viet Nam. PornpetchWichitcholchai said he hopes that after more routes linking the countries that have been inaugurated, then the number of Thai visitors to Viet Nam will surge.
Regarding cooperation in ASEAN, Chairwoman Ngan stated that as ASEAN members, Vietnam and Thailand need to enhance solidarity to promote the bloc’s unity, strength and central role. They should persist in ASEAN’s common principles and viewpoints on regional global issues.
She urged further coordination with each other and with other Mekong countries to promote cooperation, management and sustainable use of the river’s water resources, and to effectively implement the outcomes of the seventh Summit of the Ayeyawady – Chao Phraya – Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS 7), held in October 2016.
In terms of agriculture, fisheries and labour, the legislators discussed the acceleration of signing a new memorandum of understanding on agricultural cooperation between Viet Nam and Thailand, and the signing of an agreement on setting up a hotline for fishery activities at sea.
Ngan suggested that both sides considered expanding the fields and jobs opened for Vietnamese workers in Thailand. The two countries’ labour ministries need to promptly carry out relevant procedures so that Thailand can officially recruit Vietnamese workers.
She also thanked the Thai Government for favourable conditions for Vietnamese-Thais to integrate into the local society and for the construction and management of the relic sites of Viet Nam’s late President Ho Chi Minh in UdonThani and Nakhon Phanom provinces.
At the talks, the officials discussed international and regional issues of shared concern. Chairwoman Ngan said Viet Nam wants to keep coordinating with Thailand to strengthen ASEAN’s solidarity, boost the bloc’s common voice and role in settling security and development affairs in the region, and help to deal with East Sea disputes through peaceful means in line with international law.
Later on August 14, Chairwoman Ngan hosted a banquet in honour of NLA President PornpetchWichitcholchai, his spouse, and other members of the Thai delegation.-VNA
