Thai PM visits Vietnam to promote bilateral cooperation

BANGKOK, July 10 (TNA) – Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is pitching a proposal to his Vietnamese counterpart for a mechanism to promote cooperation in rice exports, transport, and tourism on his first official visit to Vietnam after taking up his post late last year.

Mr. Abhisit left for Vietnam Friday and will meet his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Tan Dung to strengthen ties and celebrate the cooperation that has taken place in many areas.

His trip was delayed due to economic problems and political turmoil in Thailand.

“I will propose establishing a new mechanism to boost cooperation in specific areas such as rice export as both countries are major rice exporters,” Mr Abhisit said. 

When the global economy recovers from recession, food security will become an important issue again. Transportation links in the region to connect with China will be discussed, as well as tourism promotion to attract visitors from other regions to travel to Thailand and Vietnam, the Thai leader said.

Ministers of the two countries will meet to discuss particular issues to ensure tangible progress and minimise unnecessary processes.

Cooperation among members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will be discussed as Vietnam will take turns to chair the regional bloc in 2010, he added. (TNA)