The talks took place following a welcome ceremony for FM Kasit to mark his official visit to Vietnam.

Deputy PM Khiem congratulated Kasit on his appointment as Thai Minister of Foreign Affairs and expressed his hope that his visit would contribute to boosting the two countries’ cooperative ties.

Deputy PM Khiem appreciated the impressive achievements of the Thai government and people over the recent past. He said he hoped that Thailand would maintain stability to further its national development.

Kasit praised the achievements recorded by Vietnam during its renewal process as well as its recent feats in regional and global integration.

The two sides expressed their mutual pleasure at the positive development of the two countries’ cooperation across various fields, including the economy, trade, investment, culture, education, healthcare, tourism and defence. This cooperation has contributed to development in each country as well as to peace, stability and cooperation in Southeast Asia and the world.

They agreed to continue to expand and intensify bilateral cooperation in the near future, as well as maintain and increase the effectiveness of cooperation mechanisms, further accelerate investment and trade, promote cooperation in tourism, agriculture, culture, education, security and defence, conduct joint sea patrols , and continue with their cooperation in crime prevention.

The two sides agreed to hold a political consultation meeting between their two Foreign Ministries as soon as possible, resume meetings of the trade subcommittee, and urge the two Defence Ministries to sign a memorandum of understanding regarding their cooperation.

They affirmed that they will continue to pursue the principle agreed upon by the two countries of not allowing any individual or organisation to use one country as a base for activities that may harm the security of the other.

Khiem thanked the Thai government for the assistance it had extended to overseas Vietnamese living in Thailand.

The two sides praised the important role of ASEAN and agreed to enhance cooperation with the other ASEAN countries to create a strong ASEAN community.

They agreed to strengthen cooperation to ensure the success of the imminent ASEAN Summit 14, for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

Receiving Kasit later the same day, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung congratulated him on his appointment and spoke highly of the results of his talks with Deputy PM Khiem.

He asked the Thai government to resume cabinet meetings between the two governments, promote the exchange of delegations and create favourable conditions for the Vietnamese nationals living in Thailand to better integrate into their local communities.

He congratulated Thailand upon its careful preparation for the upcoming ASEAN Summit. He said that Vietnam would actively participate in activities at the summit and he hoped to meet with the Thai PM for the purpose of boosting bilateral cooperation.
 
Kasit informed PM Dung of the results of his talks with Deputy PM Khiem and affirmed Thailand’s determination to cooperate closely with Vietnam at ASEAN and at other international forums, and to create favourable conditions for the overseas Vietnamese residing in Thailand.