Following is the full text of the joint press communique:
“ At the invitation of H.E. General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, H.E. Mr. Nguyen Tan Dung, Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and his Spouse paid an official visit to the Kingdom of Thailand on July 23, 2015.
During the visit, H.E. Mr. Nguyen Tan Dung and his Spouse had an audience with Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, and were warmly welcomed by H.E. General Prayut Chan-o-cha at the Government House in Bangkok on 23 July 2015. Both Prime Ministers had a bilateral meeting and co-chaired the Third Thailand – Vietnam Joint Cabinet Retreat, followed by the official luncheon hosted by H.E. General Prayut Chan-o-cha. The Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam also had a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Pornpetch Wichitcholchai, President of the National Legislative Assembly, and delivered his remarks in a Thailand – Vietnam Business Dialogue, participated by the Thai and Vietnamese business communities.
On this occasion, the two Leaders witnessed the signing of 5 documents, namely: (i) Joint Statement on the Third Vietnam – Thailand Joint Cabinet Retreat; (ii) MOU on labour cooperation; (iii) Agreement on Employment of Workers; (iv) Memorandum of Understanding on the Establishment of Friendship between Kon Tum Province, Vietnam and Ubon Ratchathani Province, Thailand; and (v) Memorandum of Understanding on the Establishment of Friendship between Long An Province, Vietnam and Trat Province, Thailand.
During the official talks, H.E. Mr. Nguyen Tan Dung and H.E. General Prayut Chan-o-cha informed each other of the socio-economic developments and foreign policy of each country. H.E. General Prayut Chan-o-cha congratulated the Government and people of Vietnam on the remarkable achievements in recent years. H.E. Mr. Nguyen Tan Dung expressed his confidence that under the leadership of the Royal Government in Thailand, the Thai people will attain greater achievements in national development, turning Thailand into a prosperous and strong nation with an important role in the region.
The two Leaders valued the growing development of traditional friendship between the two countries in recent years, particularly since the establishment of Strategic Partnership in 2013. Both sides expressed great satisfaction with the progress of bilateral relations and cooperation since the Second Joint Cabinet Retreat in 2012. The two sides welcomed the regular exchanges of high-level visits, the effective implementation of the Plan of Action Implementing the Thailand – Vietnam Strategic Partnership (2014 - 2018), the strengthening of political and security cooperation, the continuing expansion of trade and investment cooperation, as well as the deepening of cultural, social, and educational cooperation.
Both sides reiterated the importance of the high-level visits between the two countries recently, including the official visit to Thailand by H.E. Mr. Nguyen Phu Trong, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam in June 2013, the official visit by H.E. General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of Thailand in November 2014 and this visit by H.E. Mr. Nguyen Tan Dung, Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam; and agreed to promote exchange of visits and contacts at all levels and through all channels with a view to laying the foundation for intensified cooperation in all areas.
Both sides agreed on measures to strengthen the Strategic Partnership between Thailand and Vietnam at the dawn of the 5th decade of bilateral relations.
Both sides agreed to organize all year round activities in Thailand and Vietnam in 2016 to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Thailand – Vietnam diplomatic relations, including the exchange of high – level visits, the exchange of cultural activities, and the organization of seminars to promote trade and investment.
Both sides agreed to strengthen and deepen bilateral cooperation stipulated in the Plan of Action Implementing the Thailand – Vietnam Strategic Partnership (2014 - 2018). They attached high importance to current bilateral cooperation mechanisms such as the Joint Cabinet Retreat, Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation, Foreign Ministers’ Retreat and agreed to effectively and expeditiously implement the agreements and initiatives concluded by both sides in order to broaden, deepen and increase effectiveness of bilateral cooperation. The two Prime Ministers agreed to the following: (1) set a new target for bilateral trade volume from 15 billion USD to 20 billion USD by 2020; (2) establish an informal consultation mechanism for business consultations and negotiations in each country; (3) forge a multi-modal transportation linkages, including land, sea, and air; (4) establish a Joint Working Group to Cooperate in Addressing Illegal Fishing; and (5) commence negotiations on Extradition Treaty.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitments not to allow any individual or organization to use the territory of one country to conduct activities against the other.
Both Leaders exchanged views, in a candid and trusted manner, on regional issues of mutual interest. They highly valued the cooperation and coordination between the two countries at regional forums, and agreed to continue fostering cooperation at these fora, particularly ASEAN.
Both sides reaffirmed the position contained in the Chairman’s Statement of the 26th ASEAN Summit. Both sides shared concerns on the situation in the South China Sea/East Sea, which has affected trust and confidence and may undermine peace, security and stability in the region and reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace, stability as well as safety and freedom of navigation in and over – flight above the South China Sea/East Sea. Both sides emphasized the need for all parties to ensure the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of parties in the South China Sea/East Sea (DOC) in its entirety: to build, maintain and enhance mutual trust and confidence; exercise self – restraint in the conduct of activities; not resort to threat or use of force; and to resolve their differences and disputes through peaceful means, in accordance with international law including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea, and urged that dialogues and consultations be intensified to ensure the early conclusion of a Code of Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea/East Sea (COC).
The two Leaders expressed satisfaction over the results of the visit, and shared the view that the visit had significantly contributed to promoting friendship and strategic partnership between the two countries.
The two Leaders also welcomed the successful conclusion of the Third Thailand – Vietnam Joint Cabinet Retreat. Both sides agreed to maintain the dynamism in their Strategic Partnership as Thailand and Vietnam advance towards the 5th decade of bilateral ties.
H.E. Mr. Nguyen Tan Dung, Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, expressed his sincere thanks to H.E. General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of Thailand, to the Government and the people of Thailand for the warm hospitality and friendship accorded to the Vietnamese Delegation.”
