Thailand, Vietnam agree to boost comprehensive relations

BANGKOK, July 17 (TNA) - Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Quang Vinh is visiting Thailand to attend the 4th Thailand-Vietnam Political Consultation Group Meeting this week, during which Bangkok and Hanoi have agreed to enhance comprehensive relations. Acting Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow, who is also Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, welcomed the visiting Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister on Thursday morning. The Vietnamese and Thai authorities then co-chaired the 4th Thailand-Vietnam Political Consultation Group Meeting at the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bangkok. At the meeting, both sides also discussed and agreed on bilateral ties and cooperation at the multilateral level, especially within the framework of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), in which both are member countries. Besides, Hanoi and Bangkok agreed that solutions to security issues in the South China Sea must be peaceful and based on international laws, while there should be a code of conduct to ensure peaceful exploitation in the South China Sea and concerned parties should develop their marine cooperation to relieve tension there. Thailand extended gratitude toward Vietnam as well for lifting an advisory travel against Thailand to, from now on, allow Vietnamese people to visit Thailand. Thai authorities confirmed at the meeting, meanwhile, that the army-led National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) is working on the restoration of sustainable peace in the Thai society. The Vietnamese side expressed its hope that Thailand will have a fully authorized government soon. (TNA)