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NA Chairwoman meets top Thai legislators

VGP - Viet Nam always attaches great importance to the reinforcement and development of the strategic partnership with Thailand, Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan said during talks with Speaker of the Thai House of Representatives Chuan Leekpai in Bangkok on August 27.

August 28, 2019 10:00 AM GMT+7

Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan holds talks with Speaker of the Thai House of Representatives Chuan Leekpai in Bangkok on August 27, 2019 - Photo: quochoi.vn

Chairwoman Ngan suggested Thailand make it easier for the trade of Vietnamese goods and services, especially fruits sold in Thailand, as well as encourage Thai businesses to boost investment in Viet Nam, particularly in tourism and high-tech agriculture, striving to reach the bilateral trade of US$20 billion towards balance by 2020.

For his part, Chuan Leekpai shared that Thailand and Viet Nam have similar kinds of farm produce, including rice.

He proposed the two countries soon review the bilateral labor cooperation agreement signed in 2015.
The two top legislators agreed to boost cooperation in culture, sports, tourism and people-to-people exchanges thanks to geographical proximity and cultural similarities.

Chairwoman Ngan described defense and security as one of the pillar cooperation fields of Viet Nam and Thailand, and welcomed the two countries to regularly maintain effective dialogue mechanisms on defense and security.

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

Ngan thanked Thailand for supporting Viet Nam to become a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2020-2021, saying Viet Nam will actively share information with Thailand and other ASEAN member nations to promote issues of ASEAN common concerns.

Viet Nam highly appreciates the role of Thailand as ASEAN Chair 2019, she said, adding that Viet Nam will continuously promote priority contents set by Thailand this year.

She hoped Thailand will share experience and coordinate with Viet Nam to successfully host the 41st General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) and other activities in 2020 when Viet Nam holds the Chair of AIPA.

The NA leader called on the two countries to increase cooperation in the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) in line with the common priorities of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Viet Nam, and to coordinate to promote peace, security, stability, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea, as well as implement fully and effectively the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and soon adopt the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

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

Chuan Leekpai highlighted the sound development of the bilateral diplomatic ties over the past 43 years and said he witnessed the development of infrastructure and economy of Viet Nam through his visits to the country.
Chairwoman Ngan invited Chuan Leekpai to pay an official visit to Viet Nam and attend the 41st AIPA General Assembly in Viet Nam in 2020.

Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan meetsSpeaker of the Thai Senate Pornpetch Wichitcholchai in Bangkok on August 27, 2019 - Photo: quochoi.vn

*During a meeting with Speaker of the Thai Senate Pornpetch Wichitcholchai in Bangkok on August 27, Chairwoman Ngan spoke highly of the two countries’ cooperation and mutual support at multilateral forums, adding that people-to-people exchange will serve as a bridge to reinforce trust, understanding and close collaboration between the two nations. 

She expressed her hope that the Thai Senate and parliaments of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA)’s member states would support Viet Nam’s stance on the settlement of East Sea issue by peaceful means in line with international law. 

On the occasion, she also expressed her desire that the Speaker of the Thai Senate will pay more attention to Thai people of Vietnamese origin and the Thai government will grant citizenship to eligible overseas Vietnamese in Thailand, including those in old age. 

As Viet Nam and Thailand will convene a joint cabinet meeting in Hanoi in the near future, Ngan proposed that the parliaments of the two countries support close liaison between the two governments and coordinate to monitor the delivery of commitments made by both sides. 

Wichitcholchai said Thailand always supports Viet Nam in issues of shared interest, including issues at sea and other fields, adding that Thailand supports and is willing to share experience with Viet Nam in its capacity as Chair of AIPA 41.

By Hoang Ha