(VOVworld) – Vietnam-Thailand relations have strongly developed in all fields over the past 40 years.

Deputy Foreign Minister Vu Hong Nam at a meeting to mark the 40th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic ties between Vietnam and Thailand. (Photo: VOV)

In an interview with VOV, Deputy Foreign Minister Vu Hong Nam made the remark on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties on August 6.

Nam, who is also head of the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs, said both countries have closely cooperated in international cooperation mechanisms, most notably ASEAN.

He said Vietnam and Thailand have an equal and friendly relation in politics, economics, and people exchange. Following Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong’s visit to Thailand in 2013 the two nations established a strategic partnership and now are preparing to increase two-way trade to 20 billion USD by 2020.

Nam said: “Vietnam and Thailand are developing economies. Their combined populations account for one third of ASEAN’s population and their combined GDP is one third of ASEAN’s GDP. Cooperation between Vietnam and Thailand will influence all regional countries, including Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia.”

Nam said he believes cooperation between Vietnam and Thailand will consolidate ASEAN’s unity in response to challenges such as the East Sea disputes.