Vietnam ready to join Thailand on food cooperation

Written by changthai11 on Saturday, October 25th, 2008

Vietnam ready to join Thailand on food cooperation

BEIJING, Oct 25 (TNA) — Vietnam is prepared to cooperate with Thailand in fixing export food prices and develop food technology, Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung told his Thai counterpart Somchai Wongsawat here on Saturday.

Discussions between the two government leaders were made on the sidelines of the two-day Seventh Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) which closes in the Chinese capital later Saturday.

Stressing that Hanoi would maintain warm relations with Thailand, Premier Nguyen Tan Dung reportedly told Mr. Somchai that since both countries are major food exporters, they should join hands in fixing food prices as well as on improving food technology so that food exports could be carried out efficiently.

Also, such cooperation could ensure food security for the world, he said.

The discussions on food cooperation came after Mr. Somchai earlier in the day told government leaders attending ASEM that Thailand is prepared to cooperate in establishing an emergency fund to assist countries with food shortages. He also said Thailand had in the past offered export assistance to its neighbours and a number of African countries.

Praising Thailand for its investment in Vietnam, particularly in the cement industry, the Vietnamese prime minister reportedly told Mr. Somchai that he still wanted to see larger investments between the two neighbouring countries.

The closing ceremony of 7th ASEM was held late Saturday afternoon, and the prime minister and delegation returned to Bangkok afterward.

ASEM is a dialogue between the leaders of Asia and Europe to share and exchange their views on world issues.

It provides opportunities for the leaders of two continents to expand and strengthen their political, economic, social and culture cooperation and relations.

This session of ASEM, the seventh,focused on the theme of “Vision and Action: Toward a Win-Win Solution”. Meanwhile the leaders also discussed the current situation and trends, especially world economy and financial situation and its regional impact. (TNA)