Bangkok--Feb 23--MFA
1. The First Thailand — Vietnam Joint Cabinet Retreat was held in Danang and Nakhon Phanom on 20 and 21 February 2004 respectively. The Thai delegation was led by His Excellency Dr. Thaksin Shinawatra, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand. The Vietnamese delegation was led by His Excellency Mr. Phan Van Khai, Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. The Retreat was attended by 47 members of the Thai and Vietnamese Cabinets.
2. At the Opening Session in Danang, The two Prime Ministers stressed the need for both countries to strengthen all areas of cooperation to forge a strategic partnership based on shared strengths and commitment. The Vietnamese Prime Minister expressed his appreciation to the Thai Prime Minister for the latter’s initiative to convene the First Thailand — Vietnam Joint Cabinet Retreat.
3. The Two Prime Ministers had their bilateral talks and set the direction for the strong and closer relations between the two countries. At the same time, both Cabinets split into three agenda-based groups, namely: (1) Political and Security Cooperation; (2) Economic Cooperation; and (3) Education, Cultural and Social Cooperation. Each discussion group was co-chaired by the respective Deputy Prime Ministers.
4. In the Political and Security Cooperation area, both sides expressed satisfaction with the excellent state of relations between the two countries, marked by mutual trust and common understanding.
They emphasized the need for both countries to forge closer cooperation in light of various emerging challenges. In this connection, both sides agreed to set up a Joint Working Group on Security Cooperation entrusted to oversee comprehensive areas of security cooperation, such as anti-terrorism, anti-narcotic drugs, exchange of intelligence, anti-economic crimes, anti-money laundering and other issues of mutual and regional concerns.
They expressed concern over the emergence of various epidemics that pose not only a great risk to human being, but also a threat to socio-economic development of both countries and the region. In this connection, they agreed to consolidate their efforts to ensure closer cooperation in the area of public health.
They also discussed the enhancement of cooperation in related fields, e.g. the transfer of offenders, the cooperation on mutual assistance on criminal matters as well as academic cooperation between the respective Armed Forces.
5. In the area of Economic Cooperation, both sides exchanged views on various areas of mutual interest covering trade, investment, tourism, energy, environment, aviation, multilateral cooperation etc.
To further promote economic cooperation, they agreed to review various measures or regulations that impede trade and investment activities between the two countries. In this regard, both sides also agreed to encourage their competent authorities to coordinate more closely to implement existing bilateral agreements, namely, the Agreement for the Promotion and Protection of Investments and the Memorandum of Understanding between the Board of Investment of Thailand and the Ministry of Planning and Investment of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
As major exporters of agricultural produces, both sides agreed to forge closer cooperation on the issues of rice, shrimps, rubber and other agricultural commodities. On the issue of rice, they pledged their commitment to working closely under the framework of the Council of Rice Trade Cooperation, grouping Thailand, Vietnam, China, India and Pakistan.
The Vietnamese side also expressed their gratitude for Thailand’s support for its application to the World Trade Organization (WTO).
The Vietnamese side welcomed Thailand’s proposal on investment in bauxite and aluminum industries in Vietnam. Both sides agreed to task competent authorities to formulate a Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) for agricultural and manufacturing products, motorcycle and parts in particular.
The Thai side expressed its full support to Vietnam’s application to participate in the Rubber Consortium.
Both sides realised the significance and benefits of cooperation in promoting the tourism industry between the two countries through a joint promotion strategy. They agreed to set up a Sub-Committee on Tourism under the existing Thailand — Vietnam Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation.
Both sides agreed to facilitate road transport between the two countries especially along the designated traffic corridor under the Greater Mekong Sub-region framework. They agreed to expedite the negotiation and conclusion of the Arrangements for the Facilitation of Road Transportation with a view to facilitating trade, investment and tourism set forth by the corresponding Joint Statement signed in Nakhon Phanom Retreat on 21 February 2004.
Both sides expressed their satisfaction with the progress made in the construction of Route 9. They also discussed the possibility of developing Route 12 linking the two provinces of Nakhon Phanom and Nghe An.
Both sides also agreed to task respective authorities to hold early talks to discuss on the further enhancement of aviation cooperation through operating more air routes and exploring the possibility of open sky between the two countries.
Both sides agreed to expand cooperation in the field of energy. In this regard, the Vietnamese side welcomed the PTTEP’s proposal to explore oil and gas in southern and south-western Vietnam. They agreed to work towards the conclusion of a long-term petroleum purchase contract between Thailand and Vietnam.
The Vietnamese side welcomed Thailand’s proposal for a cooperation in developing Hydropower in the Mekong River and thermal plants using natural gas from southwestern Vietnam. The Vietnamese side suggested that both sides continue cooperation in the development of a high-voltage line linking Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. Thailand also welcomed Vietnam’s proposal on cooperation in the rural electricity.
They further discussed issues of multilateral cooperation such as Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS), ASEAN, Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) as well as Asia — Europe Meeting (ASEM). Both sides also exchanged views on Vietnam’s participation in the Ayeyawady — Cha Phraya — Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) process where potential cooperation would be further explored.
6. In the area of Education and Social Cooperation, both sides exchanged views on the enhancement of collaborative programmes on education as well as cultural cooperation and the promotion of people-to-people relations.
Both sides agreed to launch a collaborative programme for joint curriculum and enhance cooperation in the field of academic cooperation, development of educational institutions, exchange of educational personnel and students, and joint exhibition on education. In this regard, Thailand proposed to host the first consultative meeting to further discuss the matter.
To further implement the Agreement on Scientific, Technological and Environmental Cooperation signed in 1997, the two sides agreed to further cooperate on metrology, biotechnology, electronic and computer technology, natural science park and remote sensing. In this regard, the Thai side took note of Vietnam’s proposal on the establishment of a Vietnam-Thailand Material Science Centre.
The respective Public Health Ministers exchanged information and experience on health management in coping with the recent outbreak of SARS and Avian Influenza. In this regard, the two respective Ministries of Public Health agreed to foster their cooperation on the control and management of possible infectious diseases through the establishment of surveillance mechanism and early warning system.
On the information technology, both sides shared common view to promote intra-regional information communication networks, one of which is the framework of Thailand-Laos-Vietnam ICT Corridor.
To tackle the problem of trafficking in persons, both sides agreed to cooperate closely to eliminate trafficking in women and children and to assist victims of human trafficking.
The two Ministers of Labour agreed to step up cooperation and exchange experiences and information on labour welfare and management, labour exportation etc. with a view to ensuring a fair treatment, appropriate wages, and sufficient protection of respective workers in third countries.
7. At the end of the Danang Retreat, five documents were concluded namely: (1) Joint Statement on the Thailand — Vietnam Cooperation Framework in the First Decade of the 21st Century; (2) Protocol to Amend the Agreement on Mutual Exemption of Visas for Holders of Diplomatic and Official Passports; (3) Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Technical Cooperation; (4) Memorandum of Understanding on Educational Cooperation; and (5) Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Health of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Ministry of Public Health of Thailand on Health Cooperation.
At the end of the Nakhon Phanom Retreat, four documents were concluded namely: (1) Agreement on the Prevention and Fight against Criminal Activities; (2) Framework Agreement on Economic Cooperation; (3) Joint Statement on the Arrangements for Facilitation of Road Transportation; (4) Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures; and (5) The Implementing Agreement between the Ministry of Science and Technology of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Ministry of Science and Technology of Thailand on Scientific and Technological Cooperation.
8. At the Closing Session in Nakhon Phanom, the two Prime Ministers expressed their satisfaction with the good result of the Retreat which signify a new era of cooperation marked with a sense of optimism and determination stemming from the Retreat. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to working closely to implement what they agreed upon to lay a solid foundation for Thailand — Vietnam strategic partnership.
9. The two Prime Ministers presided over the Opening Ceremony of the Thai — Vietnamese Friendship Village in Baan Na Jok, Nakhon Phanom Province. The two sides expressed appreciation for the establishment of the Thai — Vietnamese Village as a testimony to the long standing cordial relations between the two countries and peoples.
10. The two-day Retreat was held in the atmosphere of mutual trust, friendship and openness between the two countries. The two sides were of the view that the Retreat was a concrete step that provided a policy platform, programmes of cooperation, and plan of action which would be of benefits not only to the strengthening of Thailand-Vietnam bilateral relations, but also to the regional peace, progress and prosperity.
Nakhon Phanom, 21 February 2004.
Prime Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Press Division, Department of Information Tel.(02) 643-5105 Fax. (02) 643-5106-7 E-mail : [email protected] End.
-PM-
1. The First Thailand — Vietnam Joint Cabinet Retreat was held in Danang and Nakhon Phanom on 20 and 21 February 2004 respectively. The Thai delegation was led by His Excellency Dr. Thaksin Shinawatra, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand. The Vietnamese delegation was led by His Excellency Mr. Phan Van Khai, Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. The Retreat was attended by 47 members of the Thai and Vietnamese Cabinets.
2. At the Opening Session in Danang, The two Prime Ministers stressed the need for both countries to strengthen all areas of cooperation to forge a strategic partnership based on shared strengths and commitment. The Vietnamese Prime Minister expressed his appreciation to the Thai Prime Minister for the latter’s initiative to convene the First Thailand — Vietnam Joint Cabinet Retreat.
3. The Two Prime Ministers had their bilateral talks and set the direction for the strong and closer relations between the two countries. At the same time, both Cabinets split into three agenda-based groups, namely: (1) Political and Security Cooperation; (2) Economic Cooperation; and (3) Education, Cultural and Social Cooperation. Each discussion group was co-chaired by the respective Deputy Prime Ministers.
4. In the Political and Security Cooperation area, both sides expressed satisfaction with the excellent state of relations between the two countries, marked by mutual trust and common understanding.
They emphasized the need for both countries to forge closer cooperation in light of various emerging challenges. In this connection, both sides agreed to set up a Joint Working Group on Security Cooperation entrusted to oversee comprehensive areas of security cooperation, such as anti-terrorism, anti-narcotic drugs, exchange of intelligence, anti-economic crimes, anti-money laundering and other issues of mutual and regional concerns.
They expressed concern over the emergence of various epidemics that pose not only a great risk to human being, but also a threat to socio-economic development of both countries and the region. In this connection, they agreed to consolidate their efforts to ensure closer cooperation in the area of public health.
They also discussed the enhancement of cooperation in related fields, e.g. the transfer of offenders, the cooperation on mutual assistance on criminal matters as well as academic cooperation between the respective Armed Forces.
5. In the area of Economic Cooperation, both sides exchanged views on various areas of mutual interest covering trade, investment, tourism, energy, environment, aviation, multilateral cooperation etc.
To further promote economic cooperation, they agreed to review various measures or regulations that impede trade and investment activities between the two countries. In this regard, both sides also agreed to encourage their competent authorities to coordinate more closely to implement existing bilateral agreements, namely, the Agreement for the Promotion and Protection of Investments and the Memorandum of Understanding between the Board of Investment of Thailand and the Ministry of Planning and Investment of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
As major exporters of agricultural produces, both sides agreed to forge closer cooperation on the issues of rice, shrimps, rubber and other agricultural commodities. On the issue of rice, they pledged their commitment to working closely under the framework of the Council of Rice Trade Cooperation, grouping Thailand, Vietnam, China, India and Pakistan.
The Vietnamese side also expressed their gratitude for Thailand’s support for its application to the World Trade Organization (WTO).
The Vietnamese side welcomed Thailand’s proposal on investment in bauxite and aluminum industries in Vietnam. Both sides agreed to task competent authorities to formulate a Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) for agricultural and manufacturing products, motorcycle and parts in particular.
The Thai side expressed its full support to Vietnam’s application to participate in the Rubber Consortium.
Both sides realised the significance and benefits of cooperation in promoting the tourism industry between the two countries through a joint promotion strategy. They agreed to set up a Sub-Committee on Tourism under the existing Thailand — Vietnam Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation.
Both sides agreed to facilitate road transport between the two countries especially along the designated traffic corridor under the Greater Mekong Sub-region framework. They agreed to expedite the negotiation and conclusion of the Arrangements for the Facilitation of Road Transportation with a view to facilitating trade, investment and tourism set forth by the corresponding Joint Statement signed in Nakhon Phanom Retreat on 21 February 2004.
Both sides expressed their satisfaction with the progress made in the construction of Route 9. They also discussed the possibility of developing Route 12 linking the two provinces of Nakhon Phanom and Nghe An.
Both sides also agreed to task respective authorities to hold early talks to discuss on the further enhancement of aviation cooperation through operating more air routes and exploring the possibility of open sky between the two countries.
Both sides agreed to expand cooperation in the field of energy. In this regard, the Vietnamese side welcomed the PTTEP’s proposal to explore oil and gas in southern and south-western Vietnam. They agreed to work towards the conclusion of a long-term petroleum purchase contract between Thailand and Vietnam.
The Vietnamese side welcomed Thailand’s proposal for a cooperation in developing Hydropower in the Mekong River and thermal plants using natural gas from southwestern Vietnam. The Vietnamese side suggested that both sides continue cooperation in the development of a high-voltage line linking Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. Thailand also welcomed Vietnam’s proposal on cooperation in the rural electricity.
They further discussed issues of multilateral cooperation such as Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS), ASEAN, Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) as well as Asia — Europe Meeting (ASEM). Both sides also exchanged views on Vietnam’s participation in the Ayeyawady — Cha Phraya — Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) process where potential cooperation would be further explored.
6. In the area of Education and Social Cooperation, both sides exchanged views on the enhancement of collaborative programmes on education as well as cultural cooperation and the promotion of people-to-people relations.
Both sides agreed to launch a collaborative programme for joint curriculum and enhance cooperation in the field of academic cooperation, development of educational institutions, exchange of educational personnel and students, and joint exhibition on education. In this regard, Thailand proposed to host the first consultative meeting to further discuss the matter.
To further implement the Agreement on Scientific, Technological and Environmental Cooperation signed in 1997, the two sides agreed to further cooperate on metrology, biotechnology, electronic and computer technology, natural science park and remote sensing. In this regard, the Thai side took note of Vietnam’s proposal on the establishment of a Vietnam-Thailand Material Science Centre.
The respective Public Health Ministers exchanged information and experience on health management in coping with the recent outbreak of SARS and Avian Influenza. In this regard, the two respective Ministries of Public Health agreed to foster their cooperation on the control and management of possible infectious diseases through the establishment of surveillance mechanism and early warning system.
On the information technology, both sides shared common view to promote intra-regional information communication networks, one of which is the framework of Thailand-Laos-Vietnam ICT Corridor.
To tackle the problem of trafficking in persons, both sides agreed to cooperate closely to eliminate trafficking in women and children and to assist victims of human trafficking.
The two Ministers of Labour agreed to step up cooperation and exchange experiences and information on labour welfare and management, labour exportation etc. with a view to ensuring a fair treatment, appropriate wages, and sufficient protection of respective workers in third countries.
7. At the end of the Danang Retreat, five documents were concluded namely: (1) Joint Statement on the Thailand — Vietnam Cooperation Framework in the First Decade of the 21st Century; (2) Protocol to Amend the Agreement on Mutual Exemption of Visas for Holders of Diplomatic and Official Passports; (3) Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Technical Cooperation; (4) Memorandum of Understanding on Educational Cooperation; and (5) Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Health of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Ministry of Public Health of Thailand on Health Cooperation.
At the end of the Nakhon Phanom Retreat, four documents were concluded namely: (1) Agreement on the Prevention and Fight against Criminal Activities; (2) Framework Agreement on Economic Cooperation; (3) Joint Statement on the Arrangements for Facilitation of Road Transportation; (4) Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures; and (5) The Implementing Agreement between the Ministry of Science and Technology of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Ministry of Science and Technology of Thailand on Scientific and Technological Cooperation.
8. At the Closing Session in Nakhon Phanom, the two Prime Ministers expressed their satisfaction with the good result of the Retreat which signify a new era of cooperation marked with a sense of optimism and determination stemming from the Retreat. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to working closely to implement what they agreed upon to lay a solid foundation for Thailand — Vietnam strategic partnership.
9. The two Prime Ministers presided over the Opening Ceremony of the Thai — Vietnamese Friendship Village in Baan Na Jok, Nakhon Phanom Province. The two sides expressed appreciation for the establishment of the Thai — Vietnamese Village as a testimony to the long standing cordial relations between the two countries and peoples.
10. The two-day Retreat was held in the atmosphere of mutual trust, friendship and openness between the two countries. The two sides were of the view that the Retreat was a concrete step that provided a policy platform, programmes of cooperation, and plan of action which would be of benefits not only to the strengthening of Thailand-Vietnam bilateral relations, but also to the regional peace, progress and prosperity.
Nakhon Phanom, 21 February 2004.
Prime Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Press Division, Department of Information Tel.(02) 643-5105 Fax. (02) 643-5106-7 E-mail : [email protected] End.
-PM-