In an interview with VNA, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand Sihasak Phuangketkeow said: "This visit is of great significance because this is the first official visit of Mr. To Lam to Thailand in his capacity as General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam concurrently President of Vietnam and also the first official leadership-level visit under the current government of Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. Thailand is the first ASEAN country Mr. To Lam officially visits after taking office as President. The visit is organized within the framework of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Vietnam this year".
According to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow, the 50th anniversary marks an important milestone in the relationship, reflecting the deep and long-term link between the two countries. This important visit also speaks volumes about the direction of bilateral cooperation in the next 50 years.
We highly appreciate that Thailand is the first ASEAN country to receive the official visit of General Secretary To Lam since he took office as President and this has become one of the important highlights of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of relations between the two countries. Therefore, this is an opportunity to reaffirm the political trust between the two governments and open a new chapter in Thailand - Vietnam relations" - Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand emphasized. He said that the visit will also emphasize the commitment of both countries to continue strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to expand and deepen bilateral cooperation in all areas of mutual concern, promote mutually beneficial cooperation and bring practical benefits to the people of the two countries. The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Action Plan between Thailand and Vietnam will also be approved as a roadmap for specific implementation.
Meanwhile, Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung said that the visit of General Secretary and President To Lam and his wife is "very special in some aspects". "Taking place in the context of the two countries celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, with extremely good achievements in bilateral friendly cooperation relations, the visit will be an opportunity for the highest leaders of the two countries to look back at the journey of the past 50 years and open up new opportunities, create new momentum, new impetus, bring cooperative relations to a higher level of development, more effective, deeper, meeting the common interests of the people of the two countries for peace, cooperation and development of the region and the world" - Ambassador Pham Viet Hung shared.
According to the Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand, during the visit, General Secretary and President To Lam will have meetings and talks with the highest leaders of Thailand. These contacts are of great significance for strengthening mutual understanding and trust between senior leaders of the two countries, creating a very solid premise and foundation for agencies and people of the two countries to continue to promote cooperation and exchanges in the coming time.
