Former PM of Thailand: neighboring countries should be good friends to each other

August 9^th, the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations in collaboration with Vietnam – Thailand Friendship Organization held the 40^th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between Vietnam – Thailand in Hanoi.

The 40th anniversary of the diplomatic ties between Vietnam and Thailand

The event has special participation of Mr. Bhichay Rattakul, former Prime Minister, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, the one who represented the Thai government signing the joint statement establishing diplomatic relations between Vietnam – Thailand in 1976.

Now 90 years old but still in good manner, Mr. Bhichay recalled his trip from Thailand to Vietnam 40 years ago.

At that time, Vietnam still had remnants of the war with collapsed houses, trees and hospitals. Vietnam is now very peaceful and changing so much however, which he called “a miracle” and couldn’t be imaginable then.

Thailand and Vietnam established diplomatic relations on August 6, 1976 at the peak of the Cold War, with relatively cold, gloomy and tense at the beginning.

Mr. Bihichay recounted, the negotiation process to establish the relationship between the two countries was very stressful. To obtain the good bilateral relations as today, was something not easy.

Mr. Bhichay Rattakul, former Prime Minister, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand

Vietnam and Thailand had differences in political system and ideology. However, the Thai government realized that the proximity in geographical position of the two countries is immutable, and neighboring countries should be good friends to each other, he said.

Mr. Bhichay Rattakul highly appreciated the significance of relations of neighboring countries. Setting aside ups and down in the past, Vietnam – Thailand relations has entered into a new phase.

Also speaking at the event, Mr. Ta Quang Ngoc, Chairman of Vietnam – Thailand Friendship Organization said, during the past 40 years, Vietnam – Thailand relations has been constantly consolidated and developed in all fields.

A lot of senior official visits were created between the two countries. Especially, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s official visit to Thailand in 2013 marked a turning point in the two nation’s friendship with the establishment of the strategic partnership.

The two countries signed the Action Programme on the Vietnam – Thailand strategic partnership for 2014-2018. This is an important deal, covering all fields of cooperation between the two countries.

In the economic field, trade relations witnessed significant strides. Two-way trade between Vietnam and Thailand has now hit USD11 billion. The figure is expected to reach US$20 billion per year by 2020.

The two countries also strengthened ties at regional and international forums, especially ASENA, the United Nations, the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) forum, and other co-operation mechanisms in the Greater Mekong region, he added.

Besides cooperation in politics, economics, science, technology,…people-to people exchange activities are also paid much attention to. On the occasion of 40^th anniversary of the diplomatic ties between the two countries, Vietnam – Thailand Friendship Organization partner with Thailand – Vietnam Friendship Organization will held an exchange program of two peoples in November, 2016 in Thailand./.

( Ha Thuong )