Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam wishes to promoteits comprehensive partnership with Canada in an effective and substantivemanner, towards a higher level, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son told visitingCanadian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs David Morrison in Hanoi on December14.

Son briefed the guest on remarkable achievements thetwo countries have recorded since they established diplomatic ties 50 yearsago, noting regular contacts and good relations between their leaders havecreated a firm premise for the bilateral ties to grow further.

The minister suggested the two sides step up high-level delegation exchanges in 2024, boost multi-faceted cooperation, and optimise theexisting dialogue mechanisms such as political consultation, the Vietnam-Canadajoint economic committee, and defence policy dialogue, while expandingcollaboration in health care, energy transition, and clean technology, alongwith cooperation between localities.

On this occasion, Son asked Morrison to convey his invitationsto Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly and Minister of InternationalTrade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development Mary Ng tovisit Vietnam.

For his part, Morrison praised achievements Vietnam hasgained in politics, foreign affairs, and socio-economic development over thepast years, stressing Canada’s hope to deepen the comprehensive partnershipwith the Southeast Asian nation.

Mentioning Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, he saidit shows the priority that the country gives to Asia-Pacific, in which Vietnam is considereda leading partner and a bridge between Canada and the region.

The official agreed with Son’s proposals andcommitted to further supporting Vietnam in different fields, including climatechange, clean energy, peace-keeping operations, and agriculture.

Canada will continue its close coordination withVietnam at regional and international forums like the United Nations (UN), theAsia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the Comprehensive and ProgressiveAgreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), and the InternationalOrganisation of La Francophonie (OIF), he said.

The same day, Morrison and Deputy Minister ofForeign Affairs Ha Kim Ngoc co-chaired the third Vietnam-Canada deputy foreignministerial-level political consultation.

The two sides reviewed developments of the bilateralties across spheres, particularly politics, diplomacy, economy-trade,development cooperation, national defence-security, and education-training.

Ngoc noted with pleasure the impressive growth ofthe two-way trade that rose 16.5% last year to more than 7 billion USD, andcalled on Canada to increase its investments in the Southeast Asian nation.

The official used the occasion to thank the Canadagovernment for providing official development assistance worth over 1.76 billionUSD to Vietnam since 1990.

Morrison emphasised that Canada wants to diversifyand expand its trade ties with Vietnam, particularly in agricultural export and collaboration withVietnam within the CPTPP, he said, suggesting Vietnam work with Canada to promote theASEAN-Canada strategic partnership.

The two sides consented to maintain all-leveldelegation exchanges, foster cooperation in economy, trade, investment,national defence-security, development cooperation, education-training, andhealth care.

They will also expand cooperation in such areas asclimate change response, energy transition, and clean technology, cooperationbetween localities.

The two sides exchanged views on regional andinternational issues of shared concern, and concurred to maintain their closecoordination at regional and international forums./.