Vietnam, Canada agree to enhance co-operation

Vietnam and Canada have agreed to boost their co-operation in a number of areas where Canada excels and Vietnam has a demand for, including trade, science and technology, and education and training.

The agreement was reached during talks between Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird as part of Minh’s official visit to Canada on September 29-30.

Deputy PM Pham Binh Minh and Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird (Credit: VGP)

Deputy PM, Pham Binh Minh stated that Vietnam was dedicated to developing a comprehensive, stable and long-term partnership with Canada.

He suggested the two sides increase the exchange of delegations at all levels, particularly senior level. He proposed Canada continue to create favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community to integrate into the host country’s society.

He lauded Canada’s efforts to strengthen its relationship with ASEAN and the Asian-Pacific region, contributing to peace, stability, co-operation and development in the region.

Baird spoke highly of Vietnam’s socio-economic development and international integration, as well as the role it plays in the region.

He said developing ties with Vietnam was part of his country’s policy for Asia-Pacific, sharing his guest’s wish to enhance result-oriented co-operation, improve bilateral relations and maintain dialogue for deeper mutual understanding.

After the talks, Minh and Baird signed an agreement to boost bilateral co-operation between Vietnam’s Foreign Ministry and the Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development.

In meetings with the Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, Christian Paradis, Deputy PM Minh thanked Canada for including Vietnam in its list of 25 prioritised ODA recipients.

Paradis said Canada supported Vietnam’s efforts to reform the banking system, and develop small and medium-sized enterprises, vocational training and sustainable governance.

Meeting with Canadian Minister of International Trade, Ed Fast, Minh asked Canada to open its doors to Vietnamese goods, especially agricultural products, and recognise Vietnam’s market economy.

Fast said Vietnam was one of Canada’s strategic priorities for expanding trade, education and development assistance, expressing his hope that the two sides would work together to lift bilateral trade to new heights.

During a working session with Canadian Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Gerry Ritz, host and guest agreed that there was room for both sides to boost agricultural co-operation.

Ritz pledged Canada’s support for Vietnam in terms of biotechnology, genetics and plant variety development.

During his stay, the Vietnamese Deputy PM held meetings with Canadian parliament leaders, discussing measures to foster relations between the two legislative bodies.

He also conveyed the invitation of the Vietnamese National Assembly leader to the head of the Canadian Parliament to attend the 132nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Vietnam in March 2015.

(Source: nhandan.org.vn)