Fourth Joint Cabinet Meeting overseen by Thai Prime Ministers
Rewritten Article:
Sparking a new era in bilateral ties, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra came together for a lively discussion and co-chaired the fourth Vietnam - Thailand Joint Cabinet Retreat in Hanoi on May 16, 2025.
After the warm welcome ceremony for the Thai leader, the meeting served as an opportunity to strengthen bonds between neighboring nations with shared values and interests. It marked a momentous occasion with Thailand Prime Minister Paetongtarn's first visit to Vietnam, and the first Joint Cabinet Retreat between the two nations' Prime Ministers in nearly a decade [2][3][5].
Respecting the significance of the visit, PM Chính affirmed that Thailand is more than just an important partner – it's a trusty ally that shares valued commonalies with Vietnam [1]. In return, PM Paetongtarn expressed her deep appreciation for the special bilateral relationship, emphasizing the importance of the Joint Cabinet Retreat mechanism Thailand maintains only with neighboring countries, including Vietnam [1].
As friends and partners, the leaders spoke candidly about their nations' situations and the strong progress in the Vietnam - Thailand Strategic Partnership in recent years. Notably, they agreed to elevate their bilateral relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, proclaiming a new chapter in their long-standing relationship [2][3][5].
A view of the 4th Việt Nam - Thailand joint cabinet meeting in Hà Nội on Friday. VNA/VNS Photo Dương Giang
This cooperation model, underpinned by a shared long-term vision, strategic trust, and shared aspirations for a cohesive and sustainable future, is structured around three main pillars: Partnership for a Sustainable Peace, Partnership for a Sustainable Development, and Partnership for a Sustainable Future.
Leaders agreed to bolster political, defense, and security cooperation to ensure peace and stability within both nations and the region. To achieve this, they agreed to increase high-level exchanges and strengthen existing bilateral cooperation mechanisms, particularly the Joint Cabinet Retreat and the Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation. Moreover, they will collaborate to upgrade existing frameworks and arrange regular meetings between the two Prime Ministers, both bilaterally and multilaterally [3][5].
Gearing up to celebrate the 50th founding anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Thailand in 2026, both sides have agreed to carry out a series of practical activities. They will assemble an action program for implementing the Vietnam - Thailand Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, aiming for its early signing [3][5].
Moving forward, they vow to tighten assistance in the fight against transnational crimes, including drug and human trafficking, as well as cybercrime. They promised not to allow any individual or organization to exploit one nation's territory to conduct hostile activities against the other [3][5].
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawat at the cabinet meeting.
In the economic realm, leaders pledged to boost economic connectivity under the "Three Connections" Strategy, aiming to bridge gaps in supply chains, enterprises, and localities by improving land, waterway, and air transport infrastructure, and the connectivity of sustainable development strategies [3][5].
They intend to stimulate bilateral import-export activities, ultimately reaching a $25 billion trade turnover in a more balanced and sustainable manner. To realize this, they will create a conducive environment for businesses to access markets and expand investments in each other's territories, with a focus on potential sectors such as clean energy, the digital economy, green economy, innovation, and high-tech agriculture [3][5].
Emphasizing that people-to-people exchanges are invaluable pillars of the bilateral relationship, both sides agreed to encourage such engagements, boost local-level twinning relationships, and open up more direct air routes between their localities [3][5].
Regarding the regional and international stage, both nations recognized the urgency to maintain ASEAN solidarity, resilience, and unity in diversity, focusing on sustaining peace, stability, security, safety, and freedom of navigation in the East Sea in line with international law – specifically the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). They reiterated their commitment to accelerate the early finalization of an effective and substantive Code of Conduct (COC) that correlates with international law [3][5].
Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính at the meeting.
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn extended an invitation to PM Chinh and other high-ranking Vietnamese leaders to visit Thailand, which the host agreed to entertain at an appropriate time [3][5]. Concluding the retreat, the two sides adopted a joint statement on the elevation of Vietnam - Thailand relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Together, they witnessed the exchange of eight cooperation documents in the fields of economics, security, and education and held a press conference to announce the retreat's outcomes [3][5].
Sources:[1] Vietnam News – Vietnam, Thailand to elevate ties to comprehensive strategic partnership[2] VOV – PM Pham Minh Chinh holds talks with Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra[3] Reuters – Vietnam and Thailand elevate ties to comprehensive strategic partnership[4] Xinhua Net – Vietnam, Thailand agree to upgrade bilateral ties to comprehensive strategic partnership[5] Bangkok Post – Vietnam and Thailand strengthen ties with strategic partnership
- The leaders of Vietnam and Thailand affirmed the importance of education in their strategic partnership, pledging to collaborate on educational initiatives that foster mutual understanding and academic development.
- In the digital age, the joint collaboration between the two nations will extend to the realm of artificial intelligence, where they will explore opportunities for AI integration in various sectors, including business, economy, and science.
- As the world grapples with issues of culture and identity, the leaders emphasized the significance of preserving and promoting shared cultural values within the context of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
- Both nations also underscored the importance of upholding the rule of law, committing to cooperate on legal matters that address crime, particularly transnational crimes like cybercrime, drug trafficking, and human trafficking.
- In the realm of politics, the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining regional stability and strengthening ASEAN solidarity, focusing on upholding peace, security, and freedom of navigation in the East Sea, in accordance with international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
- Recognizing the role of technology and science in driving economic growth and innovation, the leaders agreed to collaborate on technology-focused sectors such as clean energy, the digital economy, green economy, innovation, and high-tech agriculture to stimulate bilateral trade.
- To bolster bilateral relations at the grassroots level, the leaders encouraged people-to-people exchanges, local-level twinning relationships, and the creation of more direct air routes between their localities, emphasizing the importance of these connections in fostering mutual understanding and strengthening the bilateral relationship.
