Vietnam, Thailand Elevate Ties to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
Hanoi, The Gulf Observer: State President Lương Cường hosted a formal reception for Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra in Hanoi on Friday, reaffirming the importance that the Vietnamese Party, State, and people attach to the enduring friendship and multifaceted cooperation between Vietnam and Thailand.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn is currently on an official visit to Vietnam, during which she co-chaired the 4th Vietnam–Thailand Joint Cabinet Retreat with her Vietnamese counterpart. The high-level event marked a significant milestone in bilateral relations following a nearly nine-year hiatus of the retreat mechanism.
President Cường hailed the resumption of the Joint Cabinet Retreat as a clear demonstration of the two countries’ shared determination to advance an extensive, substantive, and effective partnership in response to each country’s evolving development priorities and the shifting global landscape.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn briefed the President on the fruitful outcomes of the 4th Joint Cabinet Retreat, noting that the two sides had reached consensus on a wide range of cooperation areas and signed several bilateral agreements to further institutionalize collaboration.
President Cường welcomed the results of the retreat, particularly the upgrade of bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which he described as a historic and forward-looking step ushering in a new era of deeper, broader, and more effective cooperation.
He reaffirmed Vietnam’s consistent foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralisation, and diversification of external relations, as well as its commitment to being an active and responsible member of the international community.
To ensure the effective implementation of the newly established partnership, President Cường called on both countries to intensify high-level exchanges and reciprocal visits, sustain the Joint Cabinet Retreat mechanism, and further reinforce cooperation frameworks. He also urged continued close coordination and mutual support in regional and international fora, especially within ASEAN, the United Nations, and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).
Both leaders expressed satisfaction with the strong progress in bilateral cooperation across key sectors, including politics, economy, trade, and investment. They agreed on the need to unlock the full potential of cooperation, particularly by enhancing defence and security ties, combating transnational crimes such as drug trafficking, human trafficking, and cyber scams, and expanding economic connectivity.
The leaders emphasized the importance of fostering greater business-to-business engagement, encouraging mutual investment, promoting people-to-people exchanges, and expanding direct air links between cities of both countries.
President Cường expressed his appreciation for the Thai Government’s support for the Vietnamese community in Thailand. He urged continued facilitation for Vietnamese citizens and organisations, as well as efforts to preserve and promote Vietnam’s cultural and historical heritage in the country.
On the occasion, President Cường extended a formal invitation to the King of Thailand to visit Vietnam. Prime Minister Paetongtarn pledged to convey the invitation and, in turn, invited President Cường to visit Thailand in the near future.
