Prime Ministers of Vietnam and Thailand Nguyen Tan Dung andChan-o-cha have witnessed the signing of five documents, including ajoint statement of the third Vietnam-Thailand joint cabinet retreat.
The joint cabinet meeting took place in Bangkok on July 23.
Followingis the full text of the joint statement on “Embarking on the 5th Decadeof Vietnam - Thailand Relations: Towards a Strengthened StrategicPartnership"
“1. With a view to strengthening the StrategicPartnership between Vietnam and Thailand at the dawn of the 5th decadeof bilateral relations, H.E. General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Ministerof the Kingdom of Thailand, and H.E. Mr. Nguyen Tan Dung, Prime Ministerof the Socialist Republic of Vietnam co-chaired the Third Vietnam -Thailand Joint Cabinet Retreat on July 23, 2015 in Bangkok, Thailand.
2.The Vietnamese delegation at the Third Joint Cabinet Retreat was led byH.E. Mr. Nguyen Tan Dung, Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic ofVietnam. The Thai delegation at the Third Joint Cabinet Retreat was ledby H.E. General Prayuth Chan-o-cha, Prime Ministry of the Kingdom ofThailand . The list of the Vietnamese delegation and the Thaidelegation appear as ANNEXES II and I respectively.
3. In theiropening remarks, H.E. Mr. Nguyen Tan Dung, Prime Minister of theSocialist Republic of Vietnam, and H.E. General Prayut Chan-o-cha, PrimeMinister of Thailand emphasized the importance of the Third JointCabinet Retreat in setting out the directions for the 5th decade ofbilateral relations with the goal to further strengthen the StrategicPartnership for peace, prosperity, and stability between the twocountries and in the ASEAN region.
4. H.E. Mr. Nguyen Tan Dung,Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, and H.E. GeneralPrayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of Thailand expressed greatsatisfaction with the progress of bilateral relations and cooperationsince the Second Joint Cabinet Retreat in 2012. The two sides welcomedthe regular exchanges of high-level visits, the effective implementationof the Plan of Action Implementing the Vietnam – Thailand StrategicPartnership (2014 - 2018), the strengthening of political and securitycooperation, the continual expansion of trade and investmentcooperation, as well as the deepening of cultural, social, andeducational cooperation; which helped to bring about greater strategicbenefits for both countries.
5. The two Prime Ministers agreed onmeasures to further strengthen the Strategic Partnership between thetwo countries as follows:
Political, Defense and Security Cooperation
5.1Both sides agreed that the two countries had been enjoying closer anddeeper cooperation in these areas, which helped to enhance the strategictrust between the two countries; and at the same time welcomed thefollowing progress:
a. The successful outcomes of bilateralcooperation mechanisms such as the Second Meeting of the JointCommission on Bilateral Cooperation between Vietnam and Thailand, theFirst Foreign Ministers' Retreat, the Seventh Joint Working Group onPolitical and Security Cooperation, and the First Consular ConsultativeMeeting. These mechanisms helped to enhance mutual trust andunderstanding in the spirit of the Strategic Partnership between the twocountries;
b. The signing of the Memorandum of Understandingbetween the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, and the Memorandum ofUnderstanding on Justice and Legal Affairs Cooperation between theMinistries of Justice;
c. The successful outcomes of bilateraldefence cooperation in implementing the Memorandum of Understanding onDefence Cooperation between the Ministry of National Defense of Vietnamand the Ministry of Defence of Thailand; in dialogues and consultationsbetween the two Ministries of Defense and their services and arms; theinitiative to set up the Vietnam - Thailand Joint Committee on Securitybetween the Ministry of National Defense of Vietnam and the Ministry ofDefence of Thailand; and
d. The initiatives to launch newcooperation such as the setting up of Joint Working Group to Cooperatein Addressing Illegal Fishing, and the commencement of negotiations onExtradition Treaty.
5.2 On the basis of these achievements andwith the determination to constantly expand and further deepen thepillar of cooperation in politics, security and defense under theVietnam-Thailand Strengthened Strategic Partnership, the two sidesdiscussed and agreed on the major guidelines as follows:
a. Bothsides agreed to set up as soon as possible the Vietnam-Thailand JointCommittee on Security between the Ministry of National Defense ofVietnam and the Ministry of Defence of Thailand and put it intooperation;
b. Both sides agreed to intensify efforts, cooperationand coordination at all levels to stop transnational crimes, inparticular antinarcotic drug trafficking, illegal migration andtrafficking in persons, arms smuggling, terrorism, money laundering,international economic crime and cybercrime, and environmental andwildlife crime;
c. Both sides welcomed the possibility inorganizing an annual security dialogue between the Ministry of PublicSecupity of Vietnam and the Royal Thai Police;
d. Both sidesagreed to promote the prevention of the human trafficking crimes, andfacilitate the return and reintegration of victims of human traffickingin accordance with the Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs) for theIdentification and Return of Victims of Human Trafficking betweenVietnam and Thailand;
e. Both sides reaffirmed their commitmentsnot to allow any individual or organization to use the territory of onecountry to conduct activities against the other; and
f. Bothsides agreed to organize all year round activities in Vietnam andThailand in 2016 to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Vietnam -Thailand diplomatic relations; as well as to strengthen the StrategicPartnership between the two countries; including the exchange of high-level visits, the exchange of cultural activities, and the organizationof seminars to promote trade and investment.
Economic Cooperation
5.3The two sides highly appreciated the vibrant development of bilateralcooperation in this area, reflecting the higher level of economicconnectivity between the two countries in the context of the formationof ASEAN Economic Community by the end of 2015. In that spirit, bothsides welcomed the results of the Second Meeting of the Joint TradeCommittee, the adoption of the Plan of Action on Trade and InvestmentCooperation between Vietnam and Thailand (2015-2020), the Third ViceForeign Ministers' Meeting on the East-West Economic Corridor (EWEC),and Thailand's ratification of Annexes 6, 8, and 14 of the CBTA on March30, 2015 which put into effect the Addendum to the Memorandum ofUnderstanding between and among Lao PDR, Vietnam and Thailand on theInitial Implementation of the Agreement between and among the six GMScountries for the Facilitation of Cross-Border Transport of Goods andPeople (IICBTA) at Lao Bao - Dansavanh and Savannakhet - Mukdahan (RouteNo. 9) signed in February 2013, extending the EWEC to Vientiane,Bangkok, Hanoi, Laem Chabang Port and Haiphong Port. The extension wouldhelp enhance the EWEC's economic potential and promote socioeconomicactivities.
5.4 Thailand welcomed Vietnam 's consideration to participate in the International Tripartite Rubber Council.
5.5In order to unceasingly promote the economic connectivity between thetwo countries in the spirit of the Strengthened Strategic Partnership,both sides agreed to encourage further expansion of trade and investmentas follows:
a. Set a new target for bilateral trade value from 15 billion USD to 20 billion USD by 2020;
b.Set up an informal consultation mechanism to facilitate and promoteinvestments including investment protection in each country to serve asan initial forum for business consultations as well as negotiations incase of business disputes;
c. Explore the use of Vietnamese dong and Thai baht on trade and investment transactions;
d.Facilitate the on-going process of the opening of Thai commercial bankbranches in Vietnam and encourage the future opening of Vietnamesecommercial bank branches in Thailand;
e. Accelerate thepreparation of key investment projects of Thai businesses in Vietnam(including Nhon Hoi oil refinery and petrochemical complex project ofPTT in Binh Dinh, thermal power plant of EGAT International Co.,Ltd. inQuang Tri, petrochemical-plant of SCG in Ba Ria-Vung Tau, high-techurban township project of Amata Group in Quang Ninh), which would helpto elevate Thailand to be among the group of leading investing countriesin Vietnam and promote the strategic importance of investmentcooperation in the relations between Vietnam and Thailand;
f.Encourage the expansion of Thai investment in potential industrialsectors in Vietnam such as garments and textiles, chemical manufacture,petrochemical, household products manufacture, supporting industries(electronics and automotive components), agricultural and foodprocessing, bio-energy, and tourism; and
g. Facilitatecooperation on capital market development, encourage Vietnameseenterprises to consider the Thai capital market as an option to raisecapitals.
5.6 On agricultural cooperation, both sides agreed to enhance cooperation in the following areas:
a. Explore ways and means to collaborate in post-harvest technology,improving quality, and creating value-added to agricultural products,including rice and rubber;
b. Standard and quality of fresh fruits such as mango, rambutan, lychee, longan, and dragon fruit;
c. Sharing of knowledge and experiences in fishery resourcesconservation and management, and sustainable aquaculture development;
d. Cooperation on Food Quality and Safety Control of Fish and Fishery Products; and
e.Welcome the successful outcome of the Fifth Joint Working Group Meeting(JWG) on Agricultural Cooperation under the Memorandum of Understandingbetween the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of theSocialist Republic of Vietnam and the Ministry of Agriculture andCooperatives of the Kingdom of Thailand on Agricultural Cooperation.
5.7With the determination to enhance connectivity in order to promoterelating strategic cooperation areas between the two countries, bothsides agreed to intensify cooperation in multi-modal transportationlinkages, including land, sea, and air, between the two countries andwithin the subregion as follows:
a. Convene a trilateral meetingand urge all parties involved to expedite the negotiations and thesigning of the Memorandum of Understanding on the Scheduled Bus Serviceconnecting Thailand – Lao PDR - Vietnam;
b. Convene the firstmeeting of the trilateral joint working group between Thailand -Cambodia - Vietnam on the coastal shipping development, in Thailand in2015; and
c. Increase flight frequencies and encourage moredirect flights in new destinations in Vietnam and Thailand, including bythe Thai VietJet Air.
Social, Cultural, Educational, and Labour Cooperation
5.8The two sides expressed satisfaction that cooperation in these areashad been unceasingly broadened and diversified, which helped to promotemutual understanding and foster the traditional relations of friendshipbetween the two countries. In order to enhance the role of the thesecooperation areas within the frameworks of the Vietnam-ThailandStrengthened Strategic Partnership, both sides discussed ways and meansto deepen social, cultural, and educational cooperation as follows:
a.Expedite the implementation of the Cultural Exchange Program in theperiod 2014 - 2016 between the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourismof the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Ministry of Culture of theKingdom of Thailand;
b. Fully support the roles and activitiesof the Vietnam - Thailand and the Thailand - Vietnam FriendshipAssociations in order to unceasingly promote the exchanges between thetwo peoples and foster a comprehensive and profound Vietnam-ThailandStrategic Partnership;
c. Support the activities of the ThaiCenter at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VietnamNational University in Ho Chi Minh City, support and continue teachingthe Thai language at the University of Foreign Language Studies,University of Da Nang, and the development of Thai languagedepartments/Thai centers in Vietnam, and the Vietnamese languagedepartments/Vietnam centers in Thailand, particularly the VietnameseCulture and Language Center at the Pathumthep Witthayakarn School inNong Khai Province and the Nakhon Phanom - Hanoi Friendship Center asexemplary models, in order to promote the study of the Vietnameselanguage and culture in Thailand;
d. Convene the 7th MinisterialMeeting on Science and Technology Cooperation in 2016, and urge theconclusion of the new Agreement between the Government of the SocialistRepublic of Vietnam and the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand onCooperation on Science, Technology and Innovation in 2016, in order toraise the effectiveness of bilateral cooperation in other relating areasin the spirit of the Strategic Partnership;
e. Welcome thesigning of the Memorandum of Understanding on Labour Cooperation and theAgreement on Employment of Workers between the two countries. The twosides shall implement the MOU and the Agreement in order to bring labourcooperation into a desired framework and elevate it to a new height, tobetter satisfy the demand and interests of the two sides;
f.Welcome the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on theEstablishment of Friendship between Kon Tum province and UbonRatchathani province, and between Long An province and Trat province;
g.Further promote sustainable and inclusive development in tourism, bothat the bilateral and regional levels, for mutual benefits and pave theway for a long and lasting partnership between the two countries and thesustainable development of tourism industry in the region;
h.Expedite the conclusion of the Plan of Tourism Cooperation for theperiod 2015 - 2016 between the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourismof Vietnam and the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of Thailand, with anaim to exchange tourism officials and information, promote tourism andmarketing, and facilitate travel, as well as enhance connectivity;
i.Continue to enhance cooperation and mutual support at the UnitedNations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO);Thailand supports Vietnam's membership of the Executive Board of UNESCOfor the period 2015-2019; and
j. Thailand appreciates Vietnam'ssupport on the amendment of the draft decision on Kaeng Krachan ForestComplex during the 39th World Heritage Committee (WHC) meeting in Bonn,Germany. Vietnam , as a member of World Heritage Committee, agreed tosupport Thailand for the preparation of both Phuphrabat HistoricalPark and Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex inscribed as World HeritageSites at the next WHC session in Istanbul , Turkey in July 2016.
Regional Cooperation
Thetwo sides highly appreciated the excellent cooperative relationsbetween the two countries in regional and international fora, especiallyin major issues of strategic importance to the region. With the desireto bring such relations to a new height in accordance with the spirit ofthe Strengthened Strategic Partnership, the two sides discussed andagreed as follows:
5.9 Both sides agreed to continue to supportthe realization of goals under the ASEAN Community through regionalcooperation under the ACMECS, particularly in the areas of environmentand human resources development;
5.10 Both sides agreed tostrengthen cooperation and coordination at various Mekong subregionalframeworks, including Mekong-Japan Cooperation; Mekong-Republic of KoreaCooperation, Mekong – Ganga Cooperation, Lower Mekong Initiative,Mekong River Commission' as well as Greater Mekong Subregion;
5.11Both sides agreed that the two countries would cooperate closely witheach other and with other ASEAN countries to accelerate the realizationof the ASEAN Community by the end of 2015 and beyond, and to maintainthe leading role and centrality of ASEAN on regional strategic issues;
5.12Thailand expressed its appreciation for Vietnam's outstandingcoordinatorship of the ASEAN-EU Relations over the past three years. Asthe incoming Coordinator, Thailand looked forward to working closelywith Vietnam and other ASEAN Member States to furtherstrengthen ASEAN-EU relations for mutual benefit; and
5.13 Bothsides reaffirmed the position contained in the Chairman's Statement ofthe 26th ASEAN Summit. Both sides shared concerns on the situation inthe South China Sea/East Sea, which has affected trust and confidenceand may undermine peace, security and stability in the region andreaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace, stability as well assafety and freedom of navigation in and over - flight above the SouthChina Sea/East Sea. Both sides emphasized the need for all parties toensure the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on theConduct of parties in the South China Sea/East Sea (DOC) in itsentirety: to build, maintain and enhance mutual trust and confidence;exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities; not resort tothreat or use of force; and to resolve their differences and disputesthrough peaceful means, in accordance with international law includingthe 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea, and urged thatdialogues and consultations be intensified to ensure the earlyconclusion of a Code of Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea/EastSea (COC).
6. The two sides welcomed the successful conclusion ofthe Third Vietnam - Thailand Joint Cabinet Retreat. Both sides agreedto maintain the dynamism in their Strategic Partnership as Vietnam -Thailand 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, PrimeMinister of Thailand, to the Government and the people of Thailandfor the warm hospitality and friendship accorded to the VietnameseDelegation.”-VNA
The joint cabinet meeting took place in Bangkok on July 23.
Followingis the full text of the joint statement on “Embarking on the 5th Decadeof Vietnam - Thailand Relations: Towards a Strengthened StrategicPartnership"
“1. With a view to strengthening the StrategicPartnership between Vietnam and Thailand at the dawn of the 5th decadeof bilateral relations, H.E. General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Ministerof the Kingdom of Thailand, and H.E. Mr. Nguyen Tan Dung, Prime Ministerof the Socialist Republic of Vietnam co-chaired the Third Vietnam -Thailand Joint Cabinet Retreat on July 23, 2015 in Bangkok, Thailand.
2.The Vietnamese delegation at the Third Joint Cabinet Retreat was led byH.E. Mr. Nguyen Tan Dung, Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic ofVietnam. The Thai delegation at the Third Joint Cabinet Retreat was ledby H.E. General Prayuth Chan-o-cha, Prime Ministry of the Kingdom ofThailand . The list of the Vietnamese delegation and the Thaidelegation appear as ANNEXES II and I respectively.
3. In theiropening remarks, H.E. Mr. Nguyen Tan Dung, Prime Minister of theSocialist Republic of Vietnam, and H.E. General Prayut Chan-o-cha, PrimeMinister of Thailand emphasized the importance of the Third JointCabinet Retreat in setting out the directions for the 5th decade ofbilateral relations with the goal to further strengthen the StrategicPartnership for peace, prosperity, and stability between the twocountries and in the ASEAN region.
4. H.E. Mr. Nguyen Tan Dung,Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, and H.E. GeneralPrayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of Thailand expressed greatsatisfaction with the progress of bilateral relations and cooperationsince the Second Joint Cabinet Retreat in 2012. The two sides welcomedthe regular exchanges of high-level visits, the effective implementationof the Plan of Action Implementing the Vietnam – Thailand StrategicPartnership (2014 - 2018), the strengthening of political and securitycooperation, the continual expansion of trade and investmentcooperation, as well as the deepening of cultural, social, andeducational cooperation; which helped to bring about greater strategicbenefits for both countries.
5. The two Prime Ministers agreed onmeasures to further strengthen the Strategic Partnership between thetwo countries as follows:
Political, Defense and Security Cooperation
5.1Both sides agreed that the two countries had been enjoying closer anddeeper cooperation in these areas, which helped to enhance the strategictrust between the two countries; and at the same time welcomed thefollowing progress:
a. The successful outcomes of bilateralcooperation mechanisms such as the Second Meeting of the JointCommission on Bilateral Cooperation between Vietnam and Thailand, theFirst Foreign Ministers' Retreat, the Seventh Joint Working Group onPolitical and Security Cooperation, and the First Consular ConsultativeMeeting. These mechanisms helped to enhance mutual trust andunderstanding in the spirit of the Strategic Partnership between the twocountries;
b. The signing of the Memorandum of Understandingbetween the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, and the Memorandum ofUnderstanding on Justice and Legal Affairs Cooperation between theMinistries of Justice;
c. The successful outcomes of bilateraldefence cooperation in implementing the Memorandum of Understanding onDefence Cooperation between the Ministry of National Defense of Vietnamand the Ministry of Defence of Thailand; in dialogues and consultationsbetween the two Ministries of Defense and their services and arms; theinitiative to set up the Vietnam - Thailand Joint Committee on Securitybetween the Ministry of National Defense of Vietnam and the Ministry ofDefence of Thailand; and
d. The initiatives to launch newcooperation such as the setting up of Joint Working Group to Cooperatein Addressing Illegal Fishing, and the commencement of negotiations onExtradition Treaty.
5.2 On the basis of these achievements andwith the determination to constantly expand and further deepen thepillar of cooperation in politics, security and defense under theVietnam-Thailand Strengthened Strategic Partnership, the two sidesdiscussed and agreed on the major guidelines as follows:
a. Bothsides agreed to set up as soon as possible the Vietnam-Thailand JointCommittee on Security between the Ministry of National Defense ofVietnam and the Ministry of Defence of Thailand and put it intooperation;
b. Both sides agreed to intensify efforts, cooperationand coordination at all levels to stop transnational crimes, inparticular antinarcotic drug trafficking, illegal migration andtrafficking in persons, arms smuggling, terrorism, money laundering,international economic crime and cybercrime, and environmental andwildlife crime;
c. Both sides welcomed the possibility inorganizing an annual security dialogue between the Ministry of PublicSecupity of Vietnam and the Royal Thai Police;
d. Both sidesagreed to promote the prevention of the human trafficking crimes, andfacilitate the return and reintegration of victims of human traffickingin accordance with the Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs) for theIdentification and Return of Victims of Human Trafficking betweenVietnam and Thailand;
e. Both sides reaffirmed their commitmentsnot to allow any individual or organization to use the territory of onecountry to conduct activities against the other; and
f. Bothsides agreed to organize all year round activities in Vietnam andThailand in 2016 to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Vietnam -Thailand diplomatic relations; as well as to strengthen the StrategicPartnership between the two countries; including the exchange of high-level visits, the exchange of cultural activities, and the organizationof seminars to promote trade and investment.
Economic Cooperation
5.3The two sides highly appreciated the vibrant development of bilateralcooperation in this area, reflecting the higher level of economicconnectivity between the two countries in the context of the formationof ASEAN Economic Community by the end of 2015. In that spirit, bothsides welcomed the results of the Second Meeting of the Joint TradeCommittee, the adoption of the Plan of Action on Trade and InvestmentCooperation between Vietnam and Thailand (2015-2020), the Third ViceForeign Ministers' Meeting on the East-West Economic Corridor (EWEC),and Thailand's ratification of Annexes 6, 8, and 14 of the CBTA on March30, 2015 which put into effect the Addendum to the Memorandum ofUnderstanding between and among Lao PDR, Vietnam and Thailand on theInitial Implementation of the Agreement between and among the six GMScountries for the Facilitation of Cross-Border Transport of Goods andPeople (IICBTA) at Lao Bao - Dansavanh and Savannakhet - Mukdahan (RouteNo. 9) signed in February 2013, extending the EWEC to Vientiane,Bangkok, Hanoi, Laem Chabang Port and Haiphong Port. The extension wouldhelp enhance the EWEC's economic potential and promote socioeconomicactivities.
5.4 Thailand welcomed Vietnam 's consideration to participate in the International Tripartite Rubber Council.
5.5In order to unceasingly promote the economic connectivity between thetwo countries in the spirit of the Strengthened Strategic Partnership,both sides agreed to encourage further expansion of trade and investmentas follows:
a. Set a new target for bilateral trade value from 15 billion USD to 20 billion USD by 2020;
b.Set up an informal consultation mechanism to facilitate and promoteinvestments including investment protection in each country to serve asan initial forum for business consultations as well as negotiations incase of business disputes;
c. Explore the use of Vietnamese dong and Thai baht on trade and investment transactions;
d.Facilitate the on-going process of the opening of Thai commercial bankbranches in Vietnam and encourage the future opening of Vietnamesecommercial bank branches in Thailand;
e. Accelerate thepreparation of key investment projects of Thai businesses in Vietnam(including Nhon Hoi oil refinery and petrochemical complex project ofPTT in Binh Dinh, thermal power plant of EGAT International Co.,Ltd. inQuang Tri, petrochemical-plant of SCG in Ba Ria-Vung Tau, high-techurban township project of Amata Group in Quang Ninh), which would helpto elevate Thailand to be among the group of leading investing countriesin Vietnam and promote the strategic importance of investmentcooperation in the relations between Vietnam and Thailand;
f.Encourage the expansion of Thai investment in potential industrialsectors in Vietnam such as garments and textiles, chemical manufacture,petrochemical, household products manufacture, supporting industries(electronics and automotive components), agricultural and foodprocessing, bio-energy, and tourism; and
g. Facilitatecooperation on capital market development, encourage Vietnameseenterprises to consider the Thai capital market as an option to raisecapitals.
5.6 On agricultural cooperation, both sides agreed to enhance cooperation in the following areas:
a. Explore ways and means to collaborate in post-harvest technology,improving quality, and creating value-added to agricultural products,including rice and rubber;
b. Standard and quality of fresh fruits such as mango, rambutan, lychee, longan, and dragon fruit;
c. Sharing of knowledge and experiences in fishery resourcesconservation and management, and sustainable aquaculture development;
d. Cooperation on Food Quality and Safety Control of Fish and Fishery Products; and
e.Welcome the successful outcome of the Fifth Joint Working Group Meeting(JWG) on Agricultural Cooperation under the Memorandum of Understandingbetween the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of theSocialist Republic of Vietnam and the Ministry of Agriculture andCooperatives of the Kingdom of Thailand on Agricultural Cooperation.
5.7With the determination to enhance connectivity in order to promoterelating strategic cooperation areas between the two countries, bothsides agreed to intensify cooperation in multi-modal transportationlinkages, including land, sea, and air, between the two countries andwithin the subregion as follows:
a. Convene a trilateral meetingand urge all parties involved to expedite the negotiations and thesigning of the Memorandum of Understanding on the Scheduled Bus Serviceconnecting Thailand – Lao PDR - Vietnam;
b. Convene the firstmeeting of the trilateral joint working group between Thailand -Cambodia - Vietnam on the coastal shipping development, in Thailand in2015; and
c. Increase flight frequencies and encourage moredirect flights in new destinations in Vietnam and Thailand, including bythe Thai VietJet Air.
Social, Cultural, Educational, and Labour Cooperation
5.8The two sides expressed satisfaction that cooperation in these areashad been unceasingly broadened and diversified, which helped to promotemutual understanding and foster the traditional relations of friendshipbetween the two countries. In order to enhance the role of the thesecooperation areas within the frameworks of the Vietnam-ThailandStrengthened Strategic Partnership, both sides discussed ways and meansto deepen social, cultural, and educational cooperation as follows:
a.Expedite the implementation of the Cultural Exchange Program in theperiod 2014 - 2016 between the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourismof the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Ministry of Culture of theKingdom of Thailand;
b. Fully support the roles and activitiesof the Vietnam - Thailand and the Thailand - Vietnam FriendshipAssociations in order to unceasingly promote the exchanges between thetwo peoples and foster a comprehensive and profound Vietnam-ThailandStrategic Partnership;
c. Support the activities of the ThaiCenter at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VietnamNational University in Ho Chi Minh City, support and continue teachingthe Thai language at the University of Foreign Language Studies,University of Da Nang, and the development of Thai languagedepartments/Thai centers in Vietnam, and the Vietnamese languagedepartments/Vietnam centers in Thailand, particularly the VietnameseCulture and Language Center at the Pathumthep Witthayakarn School inNong Khai Province and the Nakhon Phanom - Hanoi Friendship Center asexemplary models, in order to promote the study of the Vietnameselanguage and culture in Thailand;
d. Convene the 7th MinisterialMeeting on Science and Technology Cooperation in 2016, and urge theconclusion of the new Agreement between the Government of the SocialistRepublic of Vietnam and the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand onCooperation on Science, Technology and Innovation in 2016, in order toraise the effectiveness of bilateral cooperation in other relating areasin the spirit of the Strategic Partnership;
e. Welcome thesigning of the Memorandum of Understanding on Labour Cooperation and theAgreement on Employment of Workers between the two countries. The twosides shall implement the MOU and the Agreement in order to bring labourcooperation into a desired framework and elevate it to a new height, tobetter satisfy the demand and interests of the two sides;
f.Welcome the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on theEstablishment of Friendship between Kon Tum province and UbonRatchathani province, and between Long An province and Trat province;
g.Further promote sustainable and inclusive development in tourism, bothat the bilateral and regional levels, for mutual benefits and pave theway for a long and lasting partnership between the two countries and thesustainable development of tourism industry in the region;
h.Expedite the conclusion of the Plan of Tourism Cooperation for theperiod 2015 - 2016 between the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourismof Vietnam and the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of Thailand, with anaim to exchange tourism officials and information, promote tourism andmarketing, and facilitate travel, as well as enhance connectivity;
i.Continue to enhance cooperation and mutual support at the UnitedNations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO);Thailand supports Vietnam's membership of the Executive Board of UNESCOfor the period 2015-2019; and
j. Thailand appreciates Vietnam'ssupport on the amendment of the draft decision on Kaeng Krachan ForestComplex during the 39th World Heritage Committee (WHC) meeting in Bonn,Germany. Vietnam , as a member of World Heritage Committee, agreed tosupport Thailand for the preparation of both Phuphrabat HistoricalPark and Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex inscribed as World HeritageSites at the next WHC session in Istanbul , Turkey in July 2016.
Regional Cooperation
Thetwo sides highly appreciated the excellent cooperative relationsbetween the two countries in regional and international fora, especiallyin major issues of strategic importance to the region. With the desireto bring such relations to a new height in accordance with the spirit ofthe Strengthened Strategic Partnership, the two sides discussed andagreed as follows:
5.9 Both sides agreed to continue to supportthe realization of goals under the ASEAN Community through regionalcooperation under the ACMECS, particularly in the areas of environmentand human resources development;
5.10 Both sides agreed tostrengthen cooperation and coordination at various Mekong subregionalframeworks, including Mekong-Japan Cooperation; Mekong-Republic of KoreaCooperation, Mekong – Ganga Cooperation, Lower Mekong Initiative,Mekong River Commission' as well as Greater Mekong Subregion;
5.11Both sides agreed that the two countries would cooperate closely witheach other and with other ASEAN countries to accelerate the realizationof the ASEAN Community by the end of 2015 and beyond, and to maintainthe leading role and centrality of ASEAN on regional strategic issues;
5.12Thailand expressed its appreciation for Vietnam's outstandingcoordinatorship of the ASEAN-EU Relations over the past three years. Asthe incoming Coordinator, Thailand looked forward to working closelywith Vietnam and other ASEAN Member States to furtherstrengthen ASEAN-EU relations for mutual benefit; and
5.13 Bothsides reaffirmed the position contained in the Chairman's Statement ofthe 26th ASEAN Summit. Both sides shared concerns on the situation inthe South China Sea/East Sea, which has affected trust and confidenceand may undermine peace, security and stability in the region andreaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace, stability as well assafety and freedom of navigation in and over - flight above the SouthChina Sea/East Sea. Both sides emphasized the need for all parties toensure the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on theConduct of parties in the South China Sea/East Sea (DOC) in itsentirety: to build, maintain and enhance mutual trust and confidence;exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities; not resort tothreat or use of force; and to resolve their differences and disputesthrough peaceful means, in accordance with international law includingthe 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea, and urged thatdialogues and consultations be intensified to ensure the earlyconclusion of a Code of Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea/EastSea (COC).
6. The two sides welcomed the successful conclusion ofthe Third Vietnam - Thailand Joint Cabinet Retreat. Both sides agreedto maintain the dynamism in their Strategic Partnership as Vietnam -Thailand 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, PrimeMinister of Thailand, to the Government and the people of Thailandfor the warm hospitality and friendship accorded to the VietnameseDelegation.”-VNA
