HANOI — President Tran Duc Luong on Tuesday described closer bilateral ties between Viet Nam and Thailand as a positive contribution to the region’s peace, stability, co-operation and development.

Talking in Ha Noi with the visiting president of Thailand’s Privy Council, General Prem Tinsulanonda, the Vietnamese president said the two countries’ improved co-ordination at multilateral forums was also helpful to advancing the region’s interests.

Luong said Viet Nam always paid due attention to strengthening friendship and mutually beneficial co-operation with neighbouring countries, including Thailand.

He told Prem that he was delighted with the successful implementation of many co-operation programmes and projects in investment, trade and tourism.

He lauded the concern shown by Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej, his wife and the Thai Government towards constantly consolidating friendly and co-operative ties with Viet Nam. The president also expressed his hope that Prem’s Viet Nam visit would further boost bilateral relations.

President Luong asked Prem to convey his best wishes to Thailand’s king, his wife and the Thai royal family, and formally invited the Thai king and his wife to pay an official visit to Viet Nam.

The Thai Privy Council president told President Luong that he was very pleased to be in Viet Nam for his first official visit.

He noted the excellent development of ties between the two countries, and praised Viet Nam’s greater profile in the regional and world arenas, particularly since joining the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

He said Viet Nam’s links with ASEAN member countries, particularly Thailand, had developed strongly. This had not only been of mutual benefit to each side, but had advanced the cause of regional peace, stability, co-operation and development.

General Prem told President Luong that he greatly appreciated the efforts of Thailand and Viet Nam to enhance their bilateral and multilateral ties at regional forums such as ASEAN, Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) and Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC).

Prem was scheduled to conclude his four-day visit to Viet Nam on Thursday. — VNS

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