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 withSecond Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Brunei PehinDato Lim Jock Seng in the central city of Da Nang on November 9.
The ministersexpressed their delight at growth of the two nations’ relations over the pastyears, hailed the outcomes of the second meeting of the Vietnam – Brunei JointCommission for Bilateral Cooperation in Hanoi in February and agreed onthe third meeting in Brunei in 2018.
The two sidesaffirmed to work closely with each other to deepen the cooperation in thefields of politics, security, national defence, maritime cooperation, andeducation.
FM Minh suggestedthe two sides maintain the current cooperation mechanisms and study newcooperation agreements in potential fields, such as tourism, labour, aviation,agriculture and fishery.
Minister Lim JockSeng agreed that the two sides will accelerate negotiations on a memorandum ofunderstanding on labour cooperation, study a direct flight between Brunei andHanoi, and cooperate in halal food.
He pledged tocontinue working closely with Vietnam to address issues related to fishermenand vessels, and ensure legitimate rights of Vietnamese citizens living andworking in Brunei.
The two sidesexchanged international and regional issues of common interest and agreed tostrengthen cooperation at multi-lateral forums, such as the Association ofSoutheast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Asia – Europe Meeting (ASEM), the UnitedNations.
The Brunei Ministerspoke highly of the initiatives and efforts of Vietnam in hosting the 2017 APECEconomic Leaders’ Week and pledged that his country will support Vietnam tosuccessfully accomplish its APEC Year 2017 host, as well as to raise the roleand reputation of APEC for peace, prosperity, and cooperation in the region andthe world.-VNA
