Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Quoc Dung (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Quoc Dung on October 15 held phone talks with the Foreign and Defence Policy Advisor to the Canadian Prime Minister, David Morrison, to discuss ways to promote bilateral ties and cooperation in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dung conveyed Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s congratulations to Canadian PM Justin Trudeau and his Liberal Party on their victory in the general election on September 20.
The Deputy Minister also spoke highly of Canada’s foreign policy in the Asia-Pacific, and with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Vietnam.
Towards the 5th founding anniversary of the comprehensive partnership next year and the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Vietnam and Canada in 2023, Dung expressed his wish to further strengthen the bilateral comprehensive partnership in all areas to bring benefits to both people of both nations, contributing to peace, stability and development in the region and the world.
Amid complicated developments of the pandemic, he called on Canada to continue providing vaccine and treatment medicine support for Vietnam.
Morrison, for his part, said he treasures and wants to further deepen the Canada-Vietnam comprehensive partnership.
He highly valuated Vietnam's COVID-19 prevention and control efforts with safe and flexible adaptation to the pandemic.
The official affirmed Canada's commitment to help Vietnam and regional countries access vaccines via the COVAX Facility and the ASEAN COVID-19 Response Fund.
Both sides agreed to strengthen bilateral relations, initially facilitating visits all levels when conditions allow and maintaining regular cooperation mechanism between the two foreign ministries.
On regional and global issues of shared concern, including the East Sea issue, they highlighted the observance of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and agreed to continue close cooperation at regional and international multilateral forums./.
