On the afternoon of February 24, at the Government Headquarters, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa on the occasion of the Minister's official visit to Vietnam from February 23 to 25.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh welcomed Minister Maris Sangiampongsa for his first official visit to Vietnam and attending the second ASEAN Future Forum, assessing that the visit will contribute to bringing new steps forward to the Vietnam - Thailand enhancement Strategic Partnership as well as contribute to the overall success of the ASEAN Future Forum.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh suggested that the two countries increase exchanges of high-level and all-level delegations on the channels of the Party, State, Government and National Assembly; effectively implement bilateral cooperation mechanisms, especially the mechanism of joint cabinet meetings chaired by the two Prime Ministers. The Prime Minister appreciated Thailand's continued role as Vietnam's largest trading partner in ASEAN and the 9th largest foreign investor in Vietnam; suggested that the two sides coordinate and strive to soon bring bilateral trade turnover to the target of 25 billion USD in a more balanced direction through the effective and substantial implementation of the "Three Connections" Strategy and creating more favorable conditions for import and export of goods between the two countries. The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of connecting hard infrastructure on roads and railways, as well as connecting institutions and policies between the two countries.
The Prime Minister suggested that the two sides further strengthen cooperation in new potential areas such as digital transformation, green transformation, and renewable energy. On this occasion, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh suggested that the Thai Government continue to facilitate the Vietnamese community to work, live and study in Thailand.
Thai Foreign Minister March Sangiampongsa affirmed that Vietnam is one of Thailand's leading important partners in the region. The Minister thanked Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh for his opinions; affirmed his desire to promote economic and tourism cooperation, connect and implement the program "6 countries, one destination", as well as expand to new areas of cooperation with potential, creating a solid foundation for the two countries' relations to develop substantially and effectively in the coming time.
On this occasion, the Minister Maris also thanked the Vietnamese Government for facilitating Thai businesses to invest, do business and develop in Vietnam; expressed his hope that the Vietnamese Government will continue to support, facilitate and remove obstacles for Thai investors, including energy and financial projects. The Minister thanked the Prime Minister for his direction on the two countries promptly establishing a joint working group with the participation of relevant ministries and branches to discuss cooperation contents, remove obstacles, and prepare well for the Thai Prime Minister's visit to Vietnam in 2025 and the joint cabinet meeting between the two countries, contributing to bringing the bilateral relationship to new heights.
The two sides agreed to continue to closely coordinate in multilateral and regional mechanisms, including cooperation in developing the Mekong sub-region, managing and sustainably using Mekong River water resources. Minister Maris affirmed that Thailand will continue to cooperate with Vietnam and ASEAN countries to promote solidarity and the central role of ASEAN.
