THE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIET NAM
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Deputy PM meets foreign leaders on sidelines of UNGA 77
VGP - Standing Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh had bilateral meetings with the Dutch Prime Minister, Foreign Ministers of Sierra Leon, Guinea-Bissau and Malawi on the sidelines of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 77) in New York, the U.S. on September 23.
Standing Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh (R) meets Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte, New York, the U.S., September 23, 2022 - Photo: VGP/Hai Minh
At the meeting with Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte, both sides reaffirmed that they attach importance and give priority to Viet Nam-Netherlands comprehensive partnership, agreeing to enhance delegation exchanges at all levels and resume the bilateral cooperative mechanisms interrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pham thanked the Netherlands for donating one million vaccine doses and medical equipment to help Viet Nam combat COVID-19.
He suggested the Netherlands soon approve the EU-Viet Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) and join hands with Viet Nam to effectively implement the EU-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) to promote bilateral trade and investment ties.
The Vietnamese Deputy PM conveyed Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's invitation to the Dutch Prime Minister to pay a visit to Viet Nam.
Mark Rutte emphasized that the Netherlands' functional agencies will closely coordinate with the Vietnamese side to organize activities marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2023.
He welcomed the upcoming visit of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to the Netherlands, adding that the Dutch side is preparing for the success of the visit.
Standing Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh (second to the left) meets Sierra Leon's FM David Francis, New York, the U.S., September 23, 2022 - Photo: VGP/Hai Minh
During his meeting with Sierra Leone's Foreign Minister David Francis, Pham proposed both sides promote closer coordination and carry out measures to foster the implementation of agreements reached by their senior leaders during the visit of Sierra Leone's President to Viet Nam last March.
The two nations should strengthen cooperation in advantageous areas such as agriculture, mining, trade and investment as well as promote collaboration at multi-lateral forums, recommended the Deputy Prime Minister.
Standing Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh (R) meets Guinea-Bissau's Foreign Minister Suzi Carla Barbosa, New York, the U.S., September 23, 2022 - Photo: VGP/Hai Minh
At the meeting with Guinea-Bissau's Foreign Minister Suzi Carla Barbosa, Pham underscored that Viet Nam attaches importance to the friendship and multi-faceted cooperation with African nations, including Guinea-Bissau.
Both sides vowed to expand the bilateral cooperation in economics, trade and agriculture and uphold the role of the Guinea-Bissau Consulates General in Viet Nam in further strengthening cooperation, particularly economic ties.
He suggested Guinea-Bissau advocate Viet Nam's candidature running for membership of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in the 2023-2025 tenure.
Standing Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh (R) meets Malawi's Foreign Minister Nency Tembo, New York, the U.S., September 23, 2022 - Photo: VGP/Hai Minh
Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh called on the two countries to soon sign the Joint Communiqué on the establishment of diplomatic relations while meeting with Malawi's Foreign Minister Nency Tembo.
Viet Nam is completing procedures to send observers at the African Union (AU), he said, expressing hope to strengthen the fruitful relations between Viet Nam and African nations./.