Deputy PM calls for stronger Vietnam-Mongolia ties across multiple fields

Hanoi (VNA) – Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh received Mongolian Minister of Justice and Home Affairs Tsend Nyamdorj, who is on a working visit to Vietnam, in Hanoi on October 15.

Noting the recent strides in the two countries’ traditional friendship and cooperation, Deputy PM Binh said that during the Mongolian official’s trip, the two sides will sign an agreement on the transfer of sentenced persons and negotiate another on extradition. He expressed his hope that both will finalise negotiations soon so as to sign the extradition deal in the near future.

He also called for stronger cooperation in security, defence, and the defence industry, while encouraging the speeding up of talks on and the signing of an agreement on the protection and exchange of classified information.

The host reiterated Vietnam’s foreign policy of enhancing bilateral and multilateral relations, as well as reinforcing the friendship and win-win cooperation with traditional friends, including Mongolia. He also expressed the country’s wish to tap into their time-tested friendship and cooperation potential so as to serve each side’s development and contribute to peace, stability, and development in the region and the world.

The Deputy PM asked both countries to strengthen political trust through high-level visits and meetings as well as delegation exchanges between ministries and sectors to boost collaboration in all spheres.

They should also boost the sharing of information and experience in crime fighting; cooperate in enhancing the capacity of law enforcement; and actively work together to soon sign an agreement on classified information protection and exchange and another on extradition, he said, asking Mongolia to admit Vietnamese officers to training courses within the framework of the Khaan Quest exercise.

At the meeting, Binh noted that while economic and trade ties have recorded encouraging improvements, they still remain modest. He asked the two sides to promote economic-trade links on par with the sound political relations, in particular by importing goods their partner holds strengths in and creating optimal conditions for each other’s enterprises to make investments and do business.

[Infographics: Vietnam-Mongolia economic cooperation]

He also called on Mongolia to facilitate Vietnamese companies’ formation of joint ventures and investment in both wool and leather production, and mineral and petroleum mining.

People-to-people exchange – especially in terms of cultural, educational, and sports activities – should be increased as the two countries mark 65 years of diplomatic ties in 2019, he added, asking Mongolia to create favourable conditions for Vietnamese people in the country. He also said Vietnam is ready to send high-quality workers and experts to work in fields that Mongolia has demand in.

At the event, Deputy PM Binh urged the two countries to foster coordination and mutual support at regional and international forums, including the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movements, the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), as well as in global issues of shared concern.

He also thanked Mongolia for supporting Vietnam’s candidacy for a non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council for 2020-2021, as well as in Vietnam and ASEAN’s stance on maintaining peace, security, stability, and the settlement of East Sea disputes in line with international law.

For his part, Minister Tsend Nyamdorj stated that the two sides are negotiating the extradition agreement and agreed to sign this deal soon. The countries will celebrate 65 years of their diplomatic ties in 2019, so they will be paying close attention to activities marking this anniversary.

He added that Vietnam’s Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Public Security have enhanced cooperation with the Mongolian Ministry of Justice and Home Affairs to bring bilateral relations to a new height.

His country wishes to continue to solidify these connections, especially in mutual legal assistance to create a favourable legal environment for the two countries’ citizens.–VNA