Vietnam increases relations with partner countries

Vietnam expects its relations with partner countries will contribute to regional development - Photo: Can Dung

Bilateral meetings

At a meeting with US President Barack Obama, PM Dung said Vietnam wished to increase the comprehensive, effective partnership with the US. He thanked President Obama for his efforts to coordinate with the leaders of negotiating countries to successfully conclude negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership. He requested the US to contribute more actively to ensuring peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and the East Sea as well. President Obama said the US and Vietnam needed to maintain tight coordination to ensure effective implementation of the TPP agreement. Regarding the East Sea issue, the US supported Vietnam’s position and suggested Vietnam and other ASEAN countries should have a common voice and increase cooperation in dealing with disputes through peaceful solutions and based on international law and regional agreements. President Obama accepted PM Dung’s invitation to visit Vietnam in the near future.

At a bilateral meeting between PM Dung and his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev, the two sides said they were satisfied with the results of economic, trade, and investment cooperation in the recent period, especially the signing of a free trade agreement between Vietnam and the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), which was expected to open new opportunities to boost bilateral relations. PM Dung requested that Russia, as a driving force of the Eurasian Economic Union, ratify the agreement and encourage other EEU members to do this so that the agreement could take effect in the near future.

To make the forthcoming meeting of the Vietnam-Russia Intergovernmental Committee a success, the two PMs agreed to provide guidance for authorities of the two countries to accelerate preparations and discussed a list of cooperation projects to be developed in 2016, including large projects in fields such as nuclear power, oil and gas, and auto assembly. This was the third meeting between the two PMs in 2015, which reflected the friendship, confidence, and mutual understanding between the two leaders, helping deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Russia.

At a meeting with his Australian counterpart Malcolm Turnbull, PM Dung affirmed Australia was one of Vietnam’s leading trade and investment partners, and requested Australia to create favorable conditions for Vietnamese agricultural and seafood products to access the Australian market. PM Turnbull said he thought Vietnamese mango and dragon fruit would be available in the Australian market later this year.

At his meeting with Thai PM Prayuth Chan-ocha and Indonesian President Joko Widodo, PM Dung reiterated Vietnam’s consistent policy in boosting practical and effective cooperation with each of the two countries for the benefits of the two peoples and the ASEAN Community, contributing to regional peace, stability, and development. President Widodo accepted PM Dung’s invitation to visit Vietnam in the near future.

ASEAN summits with partners

PM Dung spoke at the 18th ASEAN-China Summit, the 13th ASEAN-India Summit, the third ASEAN-US Summit, and the 18th ASEAN+3 (China, Japan, Republic of Korea) Summit.

At the ASEAN-China Summit, the two sides highly appreciated the results of the ASEAN-China Action Plan for the 2011-2015 period, and acclaimed the recently approved action plan for the 2016-2020 period. The two sides agreed to continue boosting the strategic partnership, focusing on fields of mutual interest such as trade, investment, finance, strengthening connectivity, narrowing the development gap, environment, healthcare, and education. The two sides also agreed to strive to increase bilateral trade and investment to US$1 trillion and US$150 billion respectively by 2020, and organize a summit in 2016 to celebrate the 25th anniversary the ASEAN-China partnership. 2016 will be the year of ASEAN-China educational cooperation, with many activities to be organized in other fields to tighten bilateral relations, such as cultural performances, youth exchanges, and an ASEAN-China young entrepreneurs forum.

At the ASEAN-India Summit, the leaders agreed to step up connectivity in infrastructure, institutional and human aspects, and accelerate discussions on the ASEAN-India Maritime Transport Agreement. They also agreed to continue boosting bilateral trade and investment and reaffirmed the commitment to promote initiatives aiming at raising bilateral trade to US$200 billion by 2022.

At the ASEAN-US Summit, the two sides agreed to upgrade the bilateral relationship into a strategic partnership, promote economic cooperation and connectivity in other fields such as shipping, youth, natural disaster management, and coping with climate change. ASEAN and US leaders approved a joint statement on the ASEAN-US strategic partnership.

At the ASEAN+3 (China, Japan, Republic of Korea) Summit, the leaders were committed to boosting comprehensive cooperation in all fields, especially in economics, trade, connectivity, finance, tourism, education, information, science, technology, healthcare, natural disaster management, minimizing the adverse impacts of climate change on agriculture, forestry, and fisheries, strengthening food, energy security, dealing with environmental problems, especially trans-border pollution, as well as in boosting efforts to ensure sustainable development in the region, and promote free movement of people, goods, services, and capital.

PM Dung speaking at the various events suggested parties to effectively implement approved action plans, focusing on fields of mutual interest such as trade, investment, connectivity, coping with climate change, dealing with trans-border issues, and promoting sustainable and equitable development in the region.

Thu Hang