Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem discussed with the Foreign Ministers of Thailand, Indonesia and the Republic of Korea (RoK) on how to boost bilateral co-operation on July 24 and 25.

These meetings took place on the sidelines of the 39th Ministerial Meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Malaysia.

During Deputy PM Khiem's meeting with Thai FM Kantathi Suphamongkhon, both sides expressed their delight at the fine development of the neighbouring friendship and multi-faceted co-operation between Vietnam and Thailand. The two FMs made the affirmation to further enhance bilateral co-operation, especially in economics, commerce, investment, defence and security.

In the immediate future, the two countries' ministries and branches will co-ordinate to organise activities for the 30th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-Thailand diplomatic ties (Aug. 6), they said.

They agreed to accelerate bilateral cultural co-operation through increasing visits by film making, artistic, cultural and tourism delegations.

The two FMs both agreed to ask their Prime Ministers to organise the second joint cabinet meeting as soon as possible after Thailand elects new governmental leaders.

At a separate meeting, Deputy PM Khiem and Indonesian FM Hassan Wirajuda expressed their wish and determination to develop the traditional relationship between the two countries through the exchanges of high-ranking delegations' visits and to maintain existing co-operation mechanisms such as the Joint Committee on Economic, Cultural, Scientific and Technological Co-operation and regular political consultations at the deputy foreign ministerial level.

They agreed to set up a mechanism for ministerial consultations to discuss the action plan for the Joint Communique on comprehensive and friendship co-operation framework in the 21st century that was signed in 2003.

Deputy PM and FM Khiem took the opportunity to express his sympathy to the Indonesian Government and people over the recent loss of life and property caused by natural calamities.

Indonesian FM H. Wirajuda affirmed that his President will attend the APEC economic leaders' meeting scheduled to be held in Vietnam at the end of this year.

During his meeting with RoK FM Ban Kimoon, Deputy PM and FM Khiem thanked the RoK for its support to Vietnam's bid to gain World Trade Organisation membership and hoped that the RoK will continue to help Vietnam.

FM Ban Kimoon said that President Roh Moo-hyun is looking forward to his visit to Vietnam on the occasion of the APEC meeting. He said Vietnam has become an important partner of the RoK.

The two FMs exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual concern and hoped to further enhance the comprehensive partnership between the two countries in the 21st century.

They also agreed that there should be more high-level meetings to promote mutual understanding between the two countries. (VNA)