BANGKOK — Việt Nam and Thailand have agreed to implement measures to boost economic co-operation with the aim of reaching US$20 billion in two-way trade turnover by 2020 at the meeting of their Joint Committee on Bilateral Cooperation in Thailand which wrapped up yesterday.

The two-day meeting was co-chaired by Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Phạm Bình Minh and Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai.

The two sides agreed to create favourable conditions for businesses of the two countries to increase investment and business cooperation as well as to facilitate agricultural import and export activities between the two countries.

They also agreed to promote cooperation and share experience in rice research, production and export.

They stressed the importance of enhancing cooperation in sub-region connection, particularly in connecting road, water and air transport between Việt Nam and Thailand as well as among ASEAN countries.

The two sides committed to continue promoting and expanding cooperation in culture, education and people-to-people exchanges, including increasing the teaching of Vietnamese and Thai languages in each country.

Việt Nam applauded the Thai Government for its decision to expand fields that Vietnamese workers will be licensed to work in Thailand.

The two sides expressed delight at the active development of the strategic partnership between Việt Nam and Thailand. The political, diplomatic and security and national defence cooperation between the two countries has developed practically, which is evident through the regular exchanges of delegations between high-ranking officials of the two countries.

They expressed pleasure at the cooperation between the two countries during the framework of regional and international forums, particularly ASEAN and the United Nations.

As Thailand is Chair of ASEAN in 2019 and Việt Nam becomes ASEAN Chair in 2020, the two sides agreed to work with member countries to promote the key role of ASEAN in regional issues, including the East Sea (South China Sea). They stressed the strategic importance of ensuring peace and maritime and aviation security and safety, and maritime safety.

Yesterday, Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Minh paid a courtesy visit to Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha. (VNS)