Vietnam: Major Papers Review Ties Marking Thai PM’s ‘Courtesy’ Visit

Text of report in English by Vietnamese news agency VNA website

[Unattributed article from the "Politics" page: "Thai PM's Visit To Help Foster Bilateral Ties: Daily"]

Hanoi (VNA) -A major newspaper said on March 24 that the visit to Vietnam by Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej would help boost multifaceted cooperation between the two Southeast Asian nations.

The national daily Nhan Dan editorially noted that the visit, which began on March 24, is “an opportunity for the newly-elected Thai PM to pay a courtesy call on Vietnamese leaders in accordance with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)’s norms and a chance for the two sides to discuss measures to foster Vietnam- Thailand cooperation.”

According to the paper, Vietnam and Thailand marked the 30 th anniversary of their diplomatic ties in 2006. Relations between the two countries have been strengthened since Vietnam joined the ASEAN, with both sides having increased the exchange of visits by high- ranking delegations, especially the visit by Vietnamese PM Nguyen Tan Dung in December 2006; and those by Thai PM Surayud Chulanont on October 26, 2006 after he took office, and in November of the same year to attend the 14 th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting.

In February 2004, the two governments conducted their first government meeting in Vietnam ‘s central city of Da Nang and in Thailand ‘s northeastern province of Nakhon Phanom .

Economic and trade ties between the two countries have seen positive progresses. Two-way trade rose 21.3 per cent from 2006 to 4.8 billion USD in 2007.

Up to the present, Thailand has invested in 169 projects, capitalised at 1.66 billion USD, ranking 22 nd among the 77 foreign investors and third among ASEAN investors in Vietnam . Their investment mostly goes to industry and construction.

The same day, other dailies, the Hanoi Moi (New Hanoi) and Quan Doi Nhan Dan (People’s Army), also highlighted the visit by the Thai PM.

The Hanoi Moi stressed that the visit takes place at a time when the Vietnam-Thailand friendly and cooperative ties have been constantly developed. It also said economic-trade cooperation and investment between the two countries will be high on the agenda of the visit.

Originally published by VNA news agency website, Hanoi, in English 24 Mar 08.

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