Vietnam, as coordinator of the Asean-European Union (EU) Ministerial Meeting this year, has pledged to help Thailand fix its political conflict, says Sihasak Phuangketkeow, permanent secretary for foreign affairs.
Vietnamese Vice-Minister Pham Quang Vinh made the promise yesterday during talks with Mr Sihasak at the Thailand-Vietnam Political Consultation Group meeting in Bangkok.
He briefed Mr Vinh on the junta's reasons for the coup and the pathway to democracy. Mr VInh seemed pleased with developments so far, he said.
The talks were held ahead of the Asean-EU Ministerial Meeting in Brussels, Belgium on July 22-23 which Mr Sihasak is due to attend.
"I’m ready to clarify to the EU the latest developments in the Thai political situation where Vietnam supports Thailand’s position,'' he said.
"The Thai political issue is not important at the meeting but I’m ready to clarify if it is raised and Asean is also ready to support Thailand."
Mr Vinh said he had monitored political developments in Thailand and respected the decision of the Thai people about their country's development.
"We expect Thailand to remain stable and move toward prosperous development," Mr Vinh said.
"We will continue to develop bilateral cooperation with Thailand and hope Thailand will continue playing an important role in this region, especially within Asean."
Mr Sihasak said Thailand and Vietnam have also agreed to boost their trade relationship and set a bilateral trade target of US$15 billion in 2020, as there are many Thai companies doing business
in Vietnam.
He said Thailand may become the largest investor in Vietnam if national energy giant PTT Plc proceeds with its investments there soon.
Thailand and Vietnam will prepare programmes in 2016 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of their diplomatic relations, he said.
Both countries also touched on the situation in the South China Sea. Mr Sihasak said Thailand will speed up negotiations with China on a Code of Conduct.