Thailand and Vietnam agreed to take further measures to boost economic, commercial and investment links to match their fine political relations on November 10.

The agreement came at the talks between Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Nguyen Manh Cam and visiting Thai Deputy Prime Minister Bhichai Rattakul who arrived here Wednesday afternoon for an official visit to Vietnam.

During the talks, Cam and Bhichai Rattakul expressed satisfaction at the rapid and fine development of Vietnam-Thailand friendship and multi-faceted cooperation, particularly after Vietnamese President Tran Duc Luong's Thailand visit in October 1998.

The two Deputy Prime Ministers stressed that at present Vietnam, Thailand and other ASEAN member countries, should enhance their solidarity and cooperation, highlight the spirit of becoming strong by their own efforts, thus raising ASEAN's position in the international arena.

Cam and Bhichai Rattakul paid special attention to the coordination in implementing projects on the Mekong river basin, especially the East-West Corridor running from Vietnam's central provinces to Thailand's north-eastern region.

Cam highly valued the efforts made by the Thai government and people to overcome the consequences of the economic-financial crisis and restore their national economy.

The Thai deputy prime Minister handed over to Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Cam a cheque of one million baht (25,400 US dollars) on behalf of the Thai government as aid to the flood victims in Vietnam.

Bhichai Rattakul will meet with Vietnamese National Assembly's Chairman Nong Duc Manh and Vietnamese Prime Minister Phan Van Khai respectively on Thursday and visit Ho Chi Minh City from November 12 to 14.