(VOVWORLD) - President Nguyen Xuan Phuc is paying an official visit to Thailand and attending the 29th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting from November 16 to November 19 at the invitation of Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. The visit further promotes the comprehensive cooperation, especially in economy, trade, investment, and tourism, between Vietnam and Thailand. At the 29th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, Vietnam will join the effort to build an open, dynamic, self-reliant, and peaceful Asia-Pacific Community.
 Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Phan Chi Thanh (photo: VOV reporter in Thailand) |
President Nguyen Xuan Phuc was the first key Vietnamese leader to visit Thailand since the 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam. President Phuc is also the first foreign leader to visit Thailand ahead of the 29th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting.
A historic milestone in Vietnam-Thailand relations
Vietnam and Thailand will celebrate 10 years of Strategic Partnership in 2023. Mr. Phuc’s visit affirms Vietnam’s strong commitment to strengthening its strategic partnership with Thailand in a practical, effective manner.
After 46 years of established diplomatic relations (since August 6, 1976), bilateral relations are now developing in all fields. In 2021 bilateral trade turnover totaled nearly 19 billion USD while in the first nine months of 2022 it reached 16 billion USD, up 17.2% over the same period last year.
Thailand is Vietnam’s biggest trade partner in ASEAN, and Vietnam is Thailand’s second biggest trade partner. 18 Vietnamese provinces and cities have signed cooperation agreements with Thai localities. The two countries have discussed the ways to expand the labor market for Vietnamese workers in Thailand.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Phan Chi Thanh said the two countries’ leaders will discuss economic cooperation toward the goal of raising bilateral turnover to 25 billion USD by 2025.
“The leaders will discuss ways to deepen bilateral ties, particularly in supply chains, production facilities, Vietnam's green growth strategy, and Thailand's Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) economic model. The President will witness the signing of an Action Plan to implement the Vietnam-Thailand Enhanced Strategic Partnership for the 2022-2027 period, which covers bilateral cooperation in all fields,” said Mr. Thanh.
Vietnam is a responsible member of APEC
While in Thailand, President Phuc will attend the 29th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting, to share Vietnam’s views and propose ways APEC can address current problems in the region.
The Vietnamese delegation will attend meetings in a spirit of dialogue, solidarity, and multilateralization and work with other members to seek solutions to address challenges, protect cooperation achievements and core values, and boost future development.
During its 24 years of APEC membership, Vietnam has actively advocated peace, stability, cooperation, and economic connectivity in the region, and maintained APEC’s role as a leading economic connectivity mechanism in Asia-Pacific.
Vietnam is one of the few APEC members that have twice successfully hosted APEC Meetings (in 2006 and 2017). Vietnam has proposed 100 projects in various fields and contributed to the success of APEC's activities by taking on responsible positions, gaining the appreciation of the other members.
 Thai Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tanee Sangrat (photo: VOV reporter in Thailand) |
Thailand is hosting APEC 29 under the theme “Open. Connect. Balance." As Chair of the ASEAN group at APEC 2022, Vietnam will collaborate with other ASEAN members to promote ASEAN’s solidarity, common voice, and central role in regional economic connectivity.
Vietnam plays an active role in implementing the Aotearoa Plan on the APEC Vision to 2040 and promoting the outcomes of the 2017 APEC Year.
Thai Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tanee Sangrat said: "Vietnam plays an important role and is an important economic player within APEC. Vietnam has hosted APEC before. So, we will work and corporate closely with Vietnam and all of our APEC member economies in preparing our economies for a more sustainable future."
President Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s official visit to Thailand and attendance at the 29th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting are key diplomatic events of 2022 and an opportunity to convey Vietnam’s message of solidarity, peace, and mutual development to the region and the world.