Thailand wants to bolster co-operation with Vietnam

Nhan Dan
http://www.nhandan.com.vn/

July 12, 2009

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva affirmed his wish to bolster co-operation with Vietnam in economy, security, education, transport and agriculture.

The Thai leader made the affirmation while answering questions from the host country’s media in Hanoi on July 10.

The PM said that in terms of education, the two countries would boost the exchange of students and the teaching of the Thai and Vietnamese languages. In transport, they would focus on developing a network to link them through Laos and Cambodia.

Congratulating Vietnam for its socio-economic achievements in recent years, Abhisit Vejjajiva said that not only Thailand, but also the world, could see Vietnam’s potential.

Vietnam was even able to make marked economic progress despite the global crisis, he emphasised.

Thai investors are paying close attention to Vietnam and seeking investment opportunities in the potential market, he said.

About co-operation in ASEAN, PM Abhisit Vejjajiva wants the two countries to continue to work together to build a strong ASEAN community and boost the effectiveness of co-operation in the Mekong sub-region and on the East-West corridor, among other areas.

He said that the two countries and others in the Mekong region needed a shared understanding of how best to use and protect the river for the benefit of all countries involved and for the common sustainable development in the area.

PM Abhisit Vejjajiva stated that Thailand will transfer know-how and share experiences as it lends its support to Vietnam in assuming the ASEAN presidency in 2010.

On rice export co-operation, he said, as the world’s leading rice exporters, the two countries should tighten co-operation to help each other and take the initiative in solving problems.

Food plays an important role in ensuring social welfare throughout the region, so co-operation is necessary to build rice reserves between the two countries, he added.

(VNA)