Prime Minister hosts Thai Foreign Minister

Pham welcomed Minister Maris' first official visit to Viet Nam and his participation at the second ASEAN Future Forum (AFF), expressing his belief that the visit would contribute to advancing the Enhanced Strategic Partnership between Viet Nam and Thailand and to the success of the forum.

Pham suggested the two countries strengthen all-level delegation exchanges via Party, State, and National Assembly channels; and effectively implement bilateral cooperation mechanisms, especially the joint cabinet meeting between the two Prime Ministers.

Thailand remains Viet Nam's biggest trading partner in ASEAN and the ninth-largest foreign investor, noted the Vietnamese leader.

He urged both sides to coordinate efforts to soon achieve the trade goal of US$25 billion in a more balanced manner by effectively implementing the "Three Connections" strategy and further facilitating import and export activities between the two countries.

The Prime Minister also emphasized the importance of improving hard infrastructure connectivity, including roads and railways, and enhancing institutional and policy linkages between the two nations.

Pham called for boosting collaboration in potential areas such as digital transformation, energy transition and renewable energy.

Maris, for his part, reiterated that Viet Nam is among Thailand's most important partners in the region.

He expressed his hope to foster cooperation in areas such as economy, tourism, and connectivity, and the implementation of the "Six Countries, One Destination" program as well as expand collaboration into new potential sectors to establish a solid foundation for practical and effective development of bilateral relations in the future.

The diplomat affirmed that Thailand will continue to work with Viet Nam and other ASEAN countries to promote the solidarity and central role of the bloc.

Maris took the occasion to thank the Vietnamese government for facilitating Thai businesses in investing and operating in Viet Nam, expecting that the Vietnamese government would continue to support and create favorable conditions while addressing challenges for Thai investors, particularly in energy and finance projects.

The minister thanked the Vietnamese Prime Minister for directing the establishment of a joint working group between the two countries, with the participation of relevant ministries and sectors, to discuss cooperation content, remove obstacles.

He suggested both sides make preparation for the Viet Nam visit of the Thai Prime Minister in 2025, as well as the Joint Cabinet Meeting between the two countries, contributing to elevating the bilateral relationship to a new height.

Both sides agreed to continue close coordination in multilateral and regional mechanisms, including cooperation in the development of the Mekong subregion and the management and sustainable use of the Mekong River's water resources./.