At the invitation of Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc will pay an official visit to Thailand to attend the 29th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders Meeting, held in Bangkok, from November 16 to 19. What is your take on this visit?

Thai Ambassador to Vietnam Nikorndej Balankura. (Photo: WVR)

This APEC Summit is the first post-COVID multilateral meeting at the Leader’s level that Thailand host physically under the theme "OPEN, CONNECT and BALANCE".

Thailand's overarching concept of APEC 2022 centres around BCG (Bio-Circular-Green Economy) Model. Key deliverable is the - Bangkok Goals on BCG Economy to be endorsed by APEC Leaders in Bangkok soon. Vietnam has been an active and constructive member of APEC and has shared a similar view with Thailand on promoting balanced, inclusive and sustainable growth in the Asia-Pacific Region.

Aside from attending APEC Leaders' Retreat, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc will also attend and deliver a speech at the APEC CEO Summit 2022 under the theme "The Future of Asia-Pacific Trade and Investment".

This meeting will be a great opportunity or Thailand and Vietnam, as active members of ASEAN and Mekong sub-region, to reinforce our cooperation with the APEC economies which are the growth engine of the world to achieve a more balanced and sustainable post-COVID-19 economic recovery.

In bilateral aspect, this visit marks another important milestone to Thai-Viet relations. It will be the first official visit by Vietnamese President after the pandemic. Furthermore, and very importantly, Vietnam will be the first country to pay an official visit to Thailand during the APEC Summit

During the visit, the President will have a meeting with Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to discuss way forward to strengthen our strategic partnership which will mark its 10th anniversary of the establishment next year.

On this occasion, both leaders will also witness the signing of several important MoUs and agreements. Notably, Plan of Action on Implementing the Vietnam - Thailand Strengthened Strategic Partnership 2022-2027; Agreement on Mutual Judicial Assistance in Civil Matters between the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Kingdom of Thailand; MOU on the Establishment of Sister City Relationship between Da Nang City, Vietnam and Khon Kaen province, Thailand; MOU between Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Board of Trade of Thailand; Buyer's Bank Credit Agreement (50 Million USD) between the Export-Import Bank of Thailand (EXIM Bank) and Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Foreign Trade of Vietnam (Vietcombank)

The President will also have an audience with His Majesty the King of Thailand during his visit.

The APEC Summit Week takes place in Bangkok, Thailand, from November 14-19, 2022. (Photo: Bangkokpost)

How will the visit promote relations between the two countries?

The visit will create a great momentum to the bilateral relations between our countries comprehensively and extensively. The conversation between the Prime Minister and the President that will lay a solid ground work for 10th anniversary of strategic partnership celebration and the upcoming 4th Joint Cabinet Retreat that will be held in Vietnam next year. Furthermore, Vietnamese Ministers will have a chance to meet with their Thai counterparts to discuss the ways forward in strengthen cooperation between Thailand and Vietnam in their scope of work.

Apart from the government-to-government talk, the President will attend the Thailand - Vietnam Business Forum on November 17, and visit the Vietnamese Week in Thailand to promote Vietnamese products for Thai consumers. Thus, this visit will further promote two-way investments.

Last but not least, regarding people-to-people and cultural aspect, during the visit, Spouse of the President will visit several historical and cultural landmarks in Bangkok and Ayutthaya province such as Wat Samananam Borihan temple which was built in the reign of King Rama III by Vietnamese community in Bangkok and in 1906, King Rama V graciously named the temple “Wat Samananam Borihan”.

Spouse of the President will also meet with the agencies that promote the Thai local products and wellbeing of the communities.

In conclusion, this visit will comprehensively strengthen cooperation between Thailand and Vietnam in every aspect and set the vision for our golden jubilee in 2026.

What are Thailand's expectations about Vietnam's contribution to this time's APEC Summit?

Vietnam has been an active and constructive member of APEC and has shared a similar views with Thailand on promoting balanced, inclusive and sustainable growth in the Asia-Pacific region.

During Vietnam's APEC host year in 2017, Thailand and Vietnam joined hands in pushing forward the drafting and the adoption of APEC Strategy for Green, Sustainable and Innovative MSMEs.

This year under Thailand’s Chairmanship of APEC, Vietnam is also a key supporter of our overarching theme, which is BCG Economy model and our proposal on APEC BCG Goals which will be adopted by APEC Leaders.

We also look forward to the President's speech at APEC CEO Summit under the topic "The Future of Asia-Pacific Trade and Investment".

Thank you so much!