New York (VNA) – Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister PhamBinh Minh on September 26 attended the fifth ASEAN-Pacific Alliance MinisterialMeeting, and had bilateral meetings with the President of Palau and ForeignMinisters of Ecuador and Ukraine.

The events took place on the sidelines ofthe 73rd session of the UN General Assembly in New York.

At the ASEAN-Pacific Alliance MinisterialMeeting, delegates reviewed cooperation results and discussed plans for the twoorganisations’ future relationship.

They acknowledged the outcomes of the2017-2018 Work Plan, especially in priority fields of economics, education,people-to-people exchange, science and technology, and agreed to extend theimplementation of the Work Plan to 2019 to boost collaboration in trade,digital economy, development of small- and medium-sized enterprises,sustainable growth, culture and education.

Speaking at the event, Minh affirmed Vietnamattaches importance to the relationship between ASEAN and regionalorganisations.

Stressing the importance of inter-regionalconnectivity, he said the two organisations’ member states can take advantageof existing mechanisms to intensify trade facilitation and promote an open andrules-based market.

At separate meetings with the President ofPalau and Foreign Ministers of Ecuador and Ukraine, the Vietnamese officialsthanked the countries for their condolences over the passing of President TranDai Quang.

He briefed them on Vietnam’s achievements inexternal affairs, especially in implementing international commitments.

If elected, Vietnam will surely fulfill itstasks as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in the 2020-2021tenure, Minh stressed.

The countries lauded the role, position andcontributions of Vietnam to the region and the international community, while agreeingto keep close coordination with Vietnam to maintain international peace andsecurity.

Minh and Palauan President Tommy Remengesauagreed to boost cooperation in health, aquaculture and fishermen protection,and soon sign a memorandum of understanding on fishery collaboration and tradeagreements to help Vietnamese agricultural products and seafood enter thePalauan market, and a bilateral aviation agreement.

Meeting Ecuadoran Minister of ForeignAffairs and Human Mobility José Valencia, Minh welcomed Ecuador’s opening ofits embassy in Vietnam, suggesting both sides step up delegation exchanges.

He urged Ecuador to recognise Vietnam’smarket economy status and create favourable conditions for the two countries’enterprises.

Both sides reached a consensus onconsidering establishing cooperation mechanisms to foster bilateral cooperationand to maintain close coordination at multilateral forums and organisations.

While meeting Ukrainian Foreign MinisterPablo Klimkin, Minh recommended Ukraine ensure safety and security for theVietnamese community in the country.-VNA