PMs Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Justin Trudeau hold talks

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc (right) and his Canadian counterpart, Justin Trudeau - Photo: VGP

This marked an important milestone in the bilateral ties, serving as a driving force to promptly step up their friendship and extensive and productive cooperation at a time when the two countries have increasingly been sharing interests bilaterally, regionally and globally, they said.

They agreed that the two sides will coordinate to realise the contents in the comprehensive partnership framework across politics-diplomacy, trade-investment, development, education-training, national defence-security and science-technology.

They showed their delight at the positive development of the bilateral ties over many fields over the past few years.

PM Phuc spoke highly of the immense contributions to the two countries’ diplomatic ties made by late Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, Justin Trudeau’s father, affirming that Vietnam treasures and wants to further its relations with Canada.

He said that over the past two decades, Canada has always been among the top suppliers of official development assistance (ODA) to Vietnam, and asked the country to continue the supply of capital, especially for poverty reduction, climate change response, agriculture and sustainable growth, and support for Vietnam’s access to preferential loans after 2017.

The host suggested that Canada recognise Vietnam as a market economy soon, further open its market further to Vietnamese goods and provide more support for the Vietnamese community.

Trudeau, who is in Vietnam from November 8-9, described Vietnam as an important partner of Canada in the region and wished to foster bilateral friendship and long-term cooperation.

He pledged to to support Vietnam in climate change response and the promotion of sustainable development via the implementation of the 2030 United Nations Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The guest pledged to expand academic exchanges via establishing partnerships and student exchange programmes between the two countries’ educational establishments.

The two leaders promised to continue working closely together at regional and global forums such as the UN, APEC, and Francophonie.

With regards to the regional and global issues of shared concern, the two leaders expressed their support for ensuring maritime and aviation security, safety and freedom in the East Sea; peacefully settling disputes in the East Sea, with full respect for diplomatic and legal processes and international law, as well as promoting the use of oceans for peaceful purposes, and ensuring environmental and marine ecological protection.

Following the talks, the two PMs attended a joint press conference.