In a phone call with VOV's correspondent in Thailand while on an overseas mission in Paris, Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sihasak Phuangketkeow said the official visit, which will begin on Wednesday, sends an important message about the future direction of Vietnam-Thailand relations, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations.
“50 years, I think, is a milestone in a relationship, and of course, we have raised the level of our relationship to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and I think the visit of His Excellency, Mr. To Lam, which is his first official visit to Thailand, and in fact it is the first official visit at the leaders' level under Prime Minister Anutin's current administration says a lot about where we are going for the next 50 years,” he said.
“We also welcome that Thailand is the first ASEAN country that he's visiting officially after assuming the Presidency. This is the most fitting way to celebrate.”
Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister called the visit’s schedule very substantive. “There is the meeting with Prime Minister Anutin, and the courtesy, the audience with their Majesty the King and Queen, and also meeting with the President of the National Assembly, the Speaker of the House, and also the President of Vietnam will be presiding over the opening ceremony of the Thailand-Vietnam Business Forum. We expect to have as many as 300 participants from the business communities of both countries attending, and there will be an official dinner hosted by the Prime Minister at the Government House.”
"So, the program highlights the importance that we attach to the visit, and it's a visit that we are sure that will really add momentum to our relationship. It underscores the political will of both sides to move forward in our relationship," according to Sihasak Phuangketkeow.
