Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh (R) and Second Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Brunei Pehin Dato Lim Jock Seng (Source: VNA)Da Nang (VNA) – Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh met with Second Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Brunei Pehin Dato Lim Jock Seng in the central city of Da Nang on November 9.
The ministers expressed their delight at growth of the two nations’ relations over the past years, hailed the outcomes of the second meeting of the Vietnam – Brunei Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation in Hanoi in February and agreed on the third meeting in Brunei in 2018.
The two sides affirmed to work closely with each other to deepen the cooperation in the fields of politics, security, national defence, maritime cooperation, and education.
FM Minh suggested the two sides maintain the current cooperation mechanisms and study new cooperation agreements in potential fields, such as tourism, labour, aviation, agriculture and fishery.
Minister Lim Jock Seng agreed that the two sides will accelerate negotiations on a memorandum of understanding on labour cooperation, study a direct flight between Brunei and Hanoi, and cooperate in halal food.
He pledged to continue working closely with Vietnam to address issues related to fishermen and vessels, and ensure legitimate rights of Vietnamese citizens living and working in Brunei.
The two sides exchanged international and regional issues of common interest and agreed to strengthen cooperation at multi-lateral forums, such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Asia – Europe Meeting (ASEM), the United Nations.
The Brunei Minister spoke highly of the initiatives and efforts of Vietnam in hosting the 2017 APEC Economic Leaders’ Week and pledged that his country will support Vietnam to successfully accomplish its APEC Year 2017 host, as well as to raise the role and reputation of APEC for peace, prosperity, and cooperation in the region and the world.-VNA
