Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has said the establishment ofthe Vietnam-Brunei comprehensive partnership will open up new chapters for thebilateral relations.

Ata meeting with visiting Sultan of Brunei Haji Hassanal Bolkiah in Hanoi onMarch 27, PM Phuc suggested the two countries increase all-level delegationexchanges, as well as meetings and consultations at multilateral forums in orderto ensure the freshly-established bilateral comprehensive partnership developseffectively and pragmatically, and matches potential and position of each side.

Furthermore, they should optimise bilateral cooperation mechanisms to tightenpolitical ties, promptly remove difficulties, and promote collaboration, hesaid.

The leader expressed his delight at the active development of theVietnam-Brunei relations across fields, and noted that the Asia-Pacific and theAssociation of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) regions in particular are witnessingintensive changes in all spheres, requiring each country to make suitableadjustments in development models, economic management and response to newcooperation initiatives.

He urged the two countries to join hands in organising the second meeting ofthe Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation slated for 2019 in Brunei, andconsider establishing more political consultation mechanisms and joint tradecommittees.

The leader also suggested promoting cooperation in national defence andsecurity – a highlight of the bilateral ties, given the rapid and unexpected developmentsin regional security.

PM Phuc also called on the two sides to soundly implement cooperationagreements in defence and security, step up joint training in search and rescueoperations, increase visits of naval ships, and closely coordinate atinternational defence and security forums.

It is necessary to beef up bilateral affiliation in preventing and fighting non-traditionalsecurity risks such as terrorists, cross-border crimes, drug smuggling, humantrafficking, and high-tech crimes, he said.

The two sides need to pay attention to and deepen economic ties with new,balanced and mutually beneficial approaches, while supporting each other toutilise opportunities generated by the regional economic integration and theFourth Industrial Revolution, aiming to soon reach the target of raising thebilateral trade to 500 million USD, he said.

The PM also proposed that the two countries intensify trade promotionactivities, such as exhibitions, fairs, and business forums, as well as supportfor their enterprises to network and exchange information.

The two countries should increase two-way investment and create an open legalfoundation and an optimal business environment for their enterprises to seek investmentopportunities, especially in new economic areas that match the demands of the economicrestructuring and modernisation targets of each side, such as infrastructuredevelopment.

Due to their strategic geographical location, Vietnam and Brunei should paymore attention to sea cooperation, and take it as a pillar in theircomprehensive partnership.

He hailed the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and theBrunei Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism for establishing a hotline forfishery support, and requested that the two ministries promote the efficiencyof the hotline and enhance information exchange not only in fishing activities,but also in search and rescue work.

Praising the two countries’ shared vision on regional and global issues ofmutual concern, PM Phuc affirmed that Vietnam always prioritises and seeks tojoin hands with Brunei to accelerate the implementation of the ASEAN CommunityVision 2025, particularly as Vietnam and Brunei are due to take on the rotaryASEAN Chairmanship in 2020 and 2021.

Both nations should coordinate to promote the ASEAN’s role in the region’sstrategic issues, he stressed.

Regarding the East Sea issue, PM Phuc said that it is important to ensurepeace, stability, security, safety, and freedom of navigation and overflight inthe waters while respecting international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Lawof the Sea (1982 UNCLOS), fully and strictly implementing the Declaration onthe Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) as well as soon finalising thecode of conduct in the East Sea (COC).


Sultanof Brunei Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, for his part, informed PM Phuc that he had adeep discussion with Party General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong onvarious issues of mutual concern and witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understandingon the prevention of illegal fishing.

He expressed his joy as both nations lifted the bilateral relations to acomprehensive partnership.

As Brunei is making efforts to diversify its economy through the development ofvarious industries and its small- and medium-sized enterprise community, thecountry wants to boost both bilateral and multilateral cooperation withVietnam, he stressed.

Vietnam and Brunei have been engaged in many free trade deals, he said, stressingthat businesses from the two countries should support each other to expandtheir markets.

He added that economic connection will facilitate people-to-people exchanges,while helping companies and investors meet and set up partnerships.

Both countries have enjoyed sound cooperation in the field of energy, andBrunei always welcomes Vietnamese firms to join the construction andmaintenance of energy projects in the country. The Brunei Sultan spoke highlyof Vietnam’s technical support for Brunei to branch out agriculture and saidthat they boast huge potential for further cooperation in this sector.

Touching on the issue of national defence, he said that both nations should continueworking together to handle and respond to traditional and non-traditionalchallenges.

He took the occasion to congratulate Vietnam for taking on the role as ASEANChair in 2020, affirming that Brunei will promote cooperation and solidaritywith Vietnam to build a strong and resilient ASEAN Community based on theprinciple of agreement and non-interference in each other’s internal affairs.

Brunei hailed advancements in the negotiationsof the COC. Relevant parties will continue practical cooperation in theframework of the DOC, helping consolidate trust to maintain peace in the EastSea.

The Sultan congratulated Vietnam’s passage of the Comprehensive and ProgressiveTrans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), adding that his country will soon ratify thepact and coordinate with Vietnam to finalise negotiations for the RegionalComprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) this year.

Praising Vietnam for successfully hosting the second DRPK-USA summit, he saidthat this shows the increasing trust of the international community in Vietnam,as well as the country’s improved position and role in regional and globalpeace. –VNA