Foreign Minister meets counterparts on sidelines of ASEAN Summit

At a meeting with Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Papua New Guinea James Marape, Bui reiterated that Viet Nam expects to strengthen relations with South Pacific island countries, including Papua New Guinea.

Ample room remains for the bilateral cooperation, especially in economy, trade, agriculture and fisheries, he noted.

The Vietnamese diplomat proposed the two sides mull over the establishment of appropriate cooperation mechanisms and implement the already-signed memorandum of understanding on fishery cooperation, including the formation of a joint technical committee.

He suggested promoting negotiations and signing relevant documents in other key areas, which will serve as a basis for further collaboration.

Speaking highly of Papua New Guinea's contributions as ASEAN's special observer, he recommended that the two sides should continue their close coordination and mutual support at regional and international forums, especially within ASEAN-led mechanisms, the United Nations, and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum.     

For his part, Marape said Papua New Guinea welcomes Vietnamese businesses to invest in fisheries, agriculture, and oil and gas, adding that his country would send delegations of officials and businesses to Viet Nam to explore cooperation opportunities.

Viet Nam among Canada's top three priority partners in region

Meeting with Canadian FM Mélanie Joly, the twosides highly valued the positive development of the Viet Nam-Canada comprehensive partnership over the past years and agreed on the need to put forth new orientations that match the regional and international situation as well as the level of their relations. 

The Vietnamese FM lauded the Canadian government's Indo-Pacific Strategy that highlights ASEAN's centrality, and agreed that the implementation of the strategy would open up new cooperation opportunities between Canada and ASEAN in general, and Viet Nam in particular.

He suggested Canada create more favorable conditions and provide more scholarships for Vietnamese students, while supporting Vietnamese citizens to live, study and work in the country, thus contributing to the development of Canada as well as the bilateral friendship.

For her part, Joly affirmed that Viet Nam is one of Canada's top three priority partners in the region.

The two sides should promote all-level delegation exchanges, further tap their economic and trade potential through the materialization of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), and consider expanding cooperation in such spheres as green energy and clean energy, and maritime collaboration, she proposed.

Viet Nam calls on Turkish firms to increase in investments 

During the meeting with Turkish FM Hakan Fidan, the two ministers pledged to step up all-level delegation exchanges, effectively implement bilateral cooperation mechanisms, better optimize cooperation potential, and enhance cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

Bui called on Turkish firms to increase investments in Viet Nam, especially in the areas of mutual interests.

Fidan said Viet Nam's dispatch of forces to aid Turkey following the devastating earthquake last February vividly demonstrated their friendship, noting both sides consider this an important premise to boost their relations in the time ahead.

Sri Lanka wishes to join RCEP

At a meeting with Sri Lankan FM Ali Sabry, the two ministers affirmed they treasure the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation between Viet Nam and Sri Lanka.

They agreed to take measures to strengthen bilateral cooperation in a range of fields in the coming time.

The two diplomats concurred to soon resume bilateral cooperation mechanisms, including the political consultation at the deputy foreign minister level.

The Vietnamese minister proposed the two sides increase the exchange of all-level delegations and further promote economic- trade-cultural ties and people-to-people exchanges.

Sabry called for Viet Nam's support for Sri Lanka to join regional economic cooperation frameworks, including the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)./.