Vietnam, Thailand aim for strategic partnership Vietnam and Thailand have agreed to work to raise their relationship to a strategic partnership. The two countries reached the agreement at the second Vietnam-Thailand Joint Cabinet Retreat, which took place in Hanoi on October 27 under the co-chair of Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and his Thai counterpart Yingluck Shinawatra. The two sides worked out directions for the development of bilateral cooperation in various fields, ranging from strategic issues concerning politics, economy, national defence and security, to specific questions such as the care for children and mothers, and the teaching of Vietnamese and Thai languages in each country. Both countries re-affirmed that they will not allow any hostile individuals and forces to conduct activities in their own country against the other country, while promoting cooperation in the fight against trans-national crimes and terrorism, in both bilateral and multilateral frameworks. (source: VGP) The two prime ministers committed to boosting economic, trade and investment cooperation towards the goal of 18 billion USD in two way trade by 2015. They agreed to step up investment cooperation and connectivity in the East-West Economic Corridor, and accelerate the signing of an agreement on labour cooperation, while boosting ties in culture, education and training. The two sides also discussed their cooperation in regional and international frameworks, especially the building of an ASEAN of solidarity and stability, heading to the establishment of an ASEAN Community in 2015, as well as some regional issues of mutual concern, including those related to the Mekong Delta and the East Sea. Source: VNA