Adding further impetus to Vietnam-Thailand relations.

Member of the Central Committee of the Party, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Manh Cuong gave an interview to the press ahead of the official visit to Thailand by General Secretary and President To Lam and his wife, along with a high-level Vietnamese delegation (from May 27-29).

Could the Deputy Minister please elaborate on the notable developments in Vietnam-Thailand relations in recent times, especially after the two countries upgraded their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership?

Deputy Minister Nguyen Manh Cuong : Vietnam and Thailand are close neighbors with many shared interests in maintaining peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region. Nearly 50 years after establishing diplomatic relations, the relationship between the two countries has been continuously strengthened and developed comprehensively, becoming one of the most dynamic and effective relationships in ASEAN.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Manh Cuong

PHOTO: VIETNAM NEWS AGENCY

A particularly important milestone is the upgrading of relations between the two countries to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2025. This reflects the very high level of political trust between the two countries and demonstrates the shared determination of the leaders of both sides to develop bilateral relations in a deeper, more substantive, and more effective way in the new phase.

A highlight of Vietnam -Thailand relations is the increasingly solid strengthening of political trust. Both sides maintain regular high-level visits and contacts, as well as cooperation mechanisms and strategic exchanges in many fields. In particular, the joint cabinet meeting mechanism at the Prime Minister level is a distinctive feature of the relationship between the two countries, demonstrating close ties and coordination in promoting comprehensive cooperation.

Economic cooperation continues to be a highlight. Thailand is currently Vietnam 's largest trading partner in ASEAN, with bilateral trade reaching over US$22 billion by 2025. The two economies are becoming increasingly integrated within regional supply chains. Thailand is also one of the largest ASEAN investors in Vietnam , with numerous large-scale projects in the energy, processing, retail, logistics, and infrastructure sectors. The two countries have significant potential for cooperation in supply chain development, transportation connectivity, logistics, and Mekong sub-regional cooperation. Given their strategically important geostrategic positions, both countries are well-positioned to become connectivity hubs for mainland Southeast Asia.

The Ho Chi Minh Memorial Area in Nakhon Phanom province is a highlight with profound historical and emotional significance in the Vietnam-Thailand cooperation relationship.

PHOTO: VIETNAM NEWS AGENCY

Beyond economic cooperation, defense and security cooperation between the two countries is becoming increasingly substantive and in-depth. Both sides coordinate closely in combating transnational crime, drug trafficking, human trafficking, cybersecurity, and non-traditional security challenges. This significantly contributes to strengthening trust and maintaining a peaceful and stable environment in the region.

Cooperation in culture, education, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges has also developed strongly. The two countries currently have approximately 20 pairs of sister provinces and cities. The Vietnamese community in Thailand serves as an important bridge of friendship between the two nations. In particular, the Ho Chi Minh Memorial sites in Thailand hold profound historical and sentimental significance, contributing to the cultivation of traditional friendship between the people of the two countries.

Based on that foundation, the two countries are in a favorable position to further deepen and strengthen their comprehensive strategic partnership.

Could the Deputy Minister please tell us what new prospects and impetus the current official visit of General Secretary and President To Lam to Thailand is expected to open up for bilateral relations in the coming period?

The official visit of General Secretary and President To Lam to Thailand this time is of special significance. This is the first visit to an ASEAN country by the General Secretary and President in his new capacity, and it also takes place in the context of the two countries having just been upgraded to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

The visit first and foremost demonstrates Vietnam 's high regard for its relationship with Thailand, as well as for the Southeast Asian region. It also provides an opportunity for high-level leaders from both countries to engage in in-depth discussions on major directions for effectively implementing the new cooperation framework, thereby creating further momentum for bilateral relations in the future.

A key expectation is to continue strengthening and deepening political trust between the two countries. In the context of rapidly changing and complex global and regional situations, enhancing strategic exchanges, coordinating positions, and maintaining high-level contacts is crucial. This forms the foundation for the two countries to continue expanding cooperation in all fields.

Economically, the visit is expected to open up new avenues for development in trade, investment, logistics, and supply chain connectivity. Both sides have significant potential for cooperation in emerging areas such as digital transformation, green economy, circular economy, renewable energy, innovation, and industrial transformation. These are all areas that align with the development strategies of both countries in the new phase.

The visit is also expected to further strengthen regional connectivity, particularly in Mekong and ASEAN cooperation. Both Vietnam and Thailand play important roles in promoting intra-ASEAN economic integration, enhancing infrastructure connectivity, trade, and people-to-people exchanges in the region.

Furthermore, cooperation in culture, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges will continue to expand. Strengthening air connectivity, tourism cooperation, and exchanges among youth, students, and local communities will contribute to consolidating a sustainable social foundation for bilateral relations.

Both sides are also expected to continue to cooperate closely in regional and international forums, especially within ASEAN, in order to contribute to peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region.

It can be affirmed that, with a foundation of good friendly relations, high political trust, and vast potential for cooperation, this visit will create new momentum to further strengthen Vietnam -Thailand relations, aiming for new heights in the future.

We sincerely thank Deputy Minister Nguyen Manh Cuong.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/tao-them-xung-luc-cho-quan-he-viet-nam-thai-lan-185260524213908288.htm