Hanoi (VNA) – The Vietnamese and Thai armies have agreed toenhance coordination and continue to implement cooperative activities so as tomake contributions to the enhanced strategic partnership between the twonations.

The agreement was reached during the talks on September 20 between SeniorLieutenant General Nguyen Tan Cuong, Chief of the General Staff of the VietnamPeople’s Army (VPA) and Deputy Minister of National Defence, and General Chakermphon Srisawasdi, Chief of Defence Forces ofthe Royal Thai Armed Forces who is paying an official visit to Vietnam onSeptember 19-21.

Cuong stressed that General Chakermphon Srisawasdi’s visit is significant as ithelps create an impetus for the bilateral defence relations, which have beenintensified over the past years on the basis of the sound friendship andcooperation between the two nations.

Cooperation mechanisms have been maintained, and proved their efficiency, especially the defence policy dialogue, exchanges of coast guard forces and young officers, and educationand training, Cuong said, adding both sides have coordinated and supported eachother within the framework of the ASEAN-led mechanisms and forums. 

Cuong took the occasion to thank the Thai Ministry ofDefence and the Royal Thai Armed Forces for their active participation in multilateral events hosted by the VPA last year, and also in the upcoming ASEAN military men’s volleyball tournament to be heldby the Vietnam People’s Army for the first time to promote mutual understandingamong the ASEAN armies.

General Chakermphon Srisawasdi, for his part, spoke highly of the defencecooperation between the two nations, affirming that Thailand will continue itssupport for multilateral events organised by Vietnam.

At the talks, the two leaders agreed to study the possibility of cooperation in fields that suit the needs and strength of each side, such as the sharing of experience in bordermanagement and protection, prevention of illegal immigration and cross-bordercrimes, and response to non-traditional security challenges such as search andrescue work and terrorism fighting, among others.

Touching on regional and international issues of mutual concern, the twoleaders said that in a world full of complicated developments, the ASEAN-ledmechanisms continue to play a central role in the region, helping promotedialogue and cooperation among member states and their partners for regionalpeace, stability and development.

Besides, they also highlighted the significance of maintaining peace, security,safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea, and settling disputes via peaceful means and in accordance with international law,including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the SEA (UNCLOS).

The same day, Defence Minister General Phan Van Giang hosted a reception forthe Thai General, during which he hailed the outcomes of talks between SeniorLieutenant General Cuong and the Thai guest, and said he supports all of the cooperation contentsreached by the two sides.

General Chakermphon Srisawasdi said he always treasuresthe Vietnam – Thailand relations and their defence ties in particular,expressing his hope that both nations will work to boost cooperation in a moreeffective fashion with a view to consolidating their national defence, andmaking practical contributions to the bilateral partnership./.