Viet Nam, DPRK sign cooperation agreements

These documents include the cooperation agreement between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Viet Nam and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the DPRK, the letter of intent on defense cooperation between the Ministry of National Defense of Viet Nam and the Ministry of Defense of the DPRK, the cooperation agreement between the Viet Nam News Agency and the Korean Central News Agency, the Memorandum of Understanding on healthcare cooperation between the Ministry of Health of Viet Nam and the Ministry of Public Health of the DPRK, and the Memorandum of Understanding between the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Chamber of Commerce of the DPRK.

Building on the long-standing friendship and cooperation and desire for cooperation, Viet Nam and the DPRK have sustained stable growth trajectory of the bilateral ties over the past years.

Both sides have signed a number of bilateral agreements on cooperation in the fields of culture, healthcare, civil aviation, mutual judicial assistance, investment encouragement and protection, double taxation avoidance.

The two countries have maintained several dialogue mechanisms, including the political consultation at deputy foreign ministerial level, the inter-governmental committee for economic, trade, scientific and technological cooperation in accordance with the two countries' demand and international regulations.

The two sides have also maintained and expand people-to-people exchanges to boost mutual understanding of the fine traditional friendship and relationship between the two nations.

The same day, General Secretary To Lam, who is on a three-day State visit to the DPRK to attend the 80th founding anniversary of the Workers' Party of Korea, also met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Chairman of the United Russia Party (URP) and Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of Russia Dmitry Medvedev.

During his meeting with Premier Li, General Secretary To suggested that both sides should continue to reinforce political trust to guide and expand cooperation across all fields, successfully organise the 17th meeting of the Viet Nam – China Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation, and promote the roles of the key pillars of diplomacy, national defence, and public security.

To called for continued efforts to make breakthroughs in cooperation, thus turning commitments into concrete results and potential into practical benefits, particularly in expanding China’s import of Vietnamese goods, including agricultural and aquatic products; increasing electricity exports to Viet Nam; and highly prioritising the early completion of the three standard-gauge railway lines connecting the two countries. He also asked for boosting high-quality investment cooperation linked with technology transfer and human resources training, along with promoting science and technology collaboration into a new highlight of bilateral relations.

The General Secretary asked the two sides to properly handle sea-related issues in accordance with the common perceptions reached between the two countries’ top leaders as well as international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). 

At their meeting, To and Medvedev expressed satisfaction with the progress in implementing recent high-level agreements and commitments, and agreed to further strengthen political trust, enhance the exchange of delegations at all levels, particularly the high level, and effectively implement the Master Plan on Viet Nam–Russia Cooperation until 2030 and other recently reached agreements.

The two leaders also discussed measures to boost economic, trade, and investment cooperation; remove obstacles and open wider access to each other’s markets; and create favourable conditions for enterprises to expand partnerships in oil and gas, energy, science and technology. The two sides agreed to reinforce cooperation in security and defence, local and transport connectivity, and to improve collaboration in education, health, culture, sports, and tourism. They also committed to facilitating citizens' travel and to strengthening cooperation in energy, oil and gas, nuclear power, and labour, particularly in agricultural labour.

The leaders exchanged views on regional and international issues of shared concern, underscoring the importance of multilateral mechanisms such as the United Nations, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

On this occasion, on behalf of Viet Nam's leadership, General Secretary To Lam invited President Putin and Medvedev to visit Viet Nam again in the near future./.