Hiroshima (VNA) – Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh hadseparate meetings with his Canadian and Indian counterparts Justin Trudeau andNarendra Modi, and President of the Union of Comoros Azali Assoumani onMay 20 in Hiroshima, Japan, as part of his trip to attend the expanded Summitof the Group of Seven (G7).

In their discussion, Chinh and Trudeau expressed theirdelight at the sound growth of the Vietnam-Canada comprehensive partnership,notably the over-7-billion-USD trade turnover posted last year. Given thatthe nations are celebrating the 50th anniversary of their diplomaticrelations this year (1973-2023), they agreed to promote multifaceted cooperation, contact,dialogue, the exchange of delegations at all levels, and people-to-peopleexchange.

The Vietnamese PM recommended the two sides continue to promote trade-investment ties toward raising the bilateral trade value to 10 billion USDsoon. He proposed Canada cooperate with Vietnam in new areas such as digital transformation, green transformation, circular economy andinnovation; and sign bilateral agreements to promote cooperation in areas wherethe two sides have strengths and demand.

Chinh also suggested Canada further create conditions for more Vietnamesegoods to be exported to its market; and support and improve the legal status of the Vietnamese expatriate community. 

The Canadian PM stated Canada values Vietnam’s roleand position in the international arena and spoke highly of the Vietnamese community’s contributions to his country’sdevelopment.

He highly agreed with Chinh's proposals on measures to boost the nations’ relations,including the promotion of their economic and trade ties within the frameworkof the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)and other frameworks.

Highly appreciating Vietnam's participation in the UnitedNations Human Rights Council, Trudeau also asked Vietnam to support Canada in strengthening the cooperation with ASEAN and the region. He affirmed that Canadaalways upholds international law and a rules-based order, and supports ASEAN'sstance on the East Sea.

Chinh took the occasion to invite Trudeau to soon re-visitVietnam.

* Meeting his Indian counterpart Modi, Chinh proposed the nationscontinue to strengthen their multi-faceted cooperation, with priority given to theenhancement of political and diplomatic relations and joint work in fields of mutual needs such as trade-investment, services, finance-banking, tourism, science-technology,innovation, and response to common challenges amidst the global crises anduncertainties. 

Lauding the positive growth of the two countries’ bilateral trade with a turnover of nearly15 billion USD in 2022, Modi affirmed that Vietnam is one of the most importantstrategic partners in India’s Indo-Pacific strategy and “Act East'' policy. He heldthat economic-trade cooperation will continue to be an important pillar in thecountries’ relationship.

The two sides agreed to further promote the bilateral consultation and dialoguemechanisms; expand cooperation in fields of complementary advantages; closelycoordinate and share stances on international and regional issues of commonconcern at international and regional forums, especially the UN as well asASEAN-led mechanisms and the framework of the Mekong–Ganga Cooperation.

The two PMs underscored the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security,safety and freedom of navigation and overflight; and upholding internationallaw in the East Sea. They called on all sides involved to fully and effectively implement the Declarationon the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and soon finalise a substantialand effective Code of Conduct (COC) in the waters in line with internationallaw, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), creatingconditions to settle disputes in the East Sea by peaceful means. 

Modi invited Chinh to visit India at an appropriate timethis year and the Vietnamese PM accepted the invitation.

* At their meeting, the Vietnamese PM and the Comoros President said thecountries share a traditional friendship but their cooperation remain modestand has yet to reflect their true potential. They agreed to step up the exchangeof delegations at all levels and the sharing of information on each nation’s economy,trade, investment, opportunities and strengths. 

Vietnam attaches importance to relations with African friends, including theComoros, Chinh stated, proposing the Comoros facilitate access of some of Vietnam's keyproducts such as rice, food, consumer goods, textiles, footwear, and machinery to its market. 

The PM suggested that the two sides strengthen their cooperation in agriculture,including tripartite agricultural development cooperation projects; their discussionand coordination at international organisations and multilateral forums.

Highlighting Vietnam's desire to cooperate with and support the AfricanUnion (AU) to realise its vision of an integrated, prosperous and peacefulAfrica for the people, he affirmed Vietnam is willing to be a bridge to promotecooperation between the union and ASEAN.

Stating his wish to deepen relations with Vietnam in hisposts as the president of the Comoros and the AU, Assoumani agreed with Chinh’ssuggestions and proposed Vietnam share experiences with the Comoros in ensuringfood security, energy, and health serving its plan and vision to become anemerging economy by 2030.

The president agreed that the two sides would soon negotiate andsign a number of important documents, such as an agreement on visa exemptionfor diplomatic and official passport holders, to create a favourable legal basisfor their bilateral cooperation.

Regarding multilateral collaboration, the Comoros willcontinue to work closely with Vietnam to support multilateralism and the roleof international law, he stated./.