Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (L) and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in a meeting on November 8, 2017. (Photo:VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s visit to Canada and his attendance at the G7 Outreach Summit there not only marks a new milestone in the two countries’ relations, but also demonstrates an increasing role of Vietnam in one of the world’s most important forums.
The visit, made at an invitation of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, took place just over half of a year after the two countries lifted their ties to a comprehensive partnership level during Trudeau’s visit to Vietnam in November 2017.
This is the first visit to Canada by a high-ranking Vietnamese Government delegation over the past 13 years.
This is the second time Vietnam has been invited to the G7 Outreach Summit and the country will be present at the 2018 G7 Outreach Summit as an independent nation, not representing a group of countries in the region or an organization.
Among 11 nations invited by the host to the 2018 G7 Outreach Summit, Vietnam is the only country in Southeast Asia, which shows that Canada attaches importance to its relations with Vietnam, and Canada and other G7 nations appreciate Vietnam’s international role, prestige and position.
The visit by PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc takes place in the context that the two countries are celebrating the 45th anniversary of their diplomatic ties. The newly-established Comprehensive Partnership is expected to create a framework for the bilateral ties to develop in a stable, effective, long-term and mutually beneficial manner.
The two countries are seeing numerous opportunities to expand cooperation, especially when both are members of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). However, they are also seeing several challenges which need them to join hands to address.
Therefore, during the visit, the two PMs will discuss specific measures to elevate bilateral partnership to match the potential of each country in mutually beneficial areas, including raising trade revenue and business connectivity, investment expansion, goods export, and response to global challenges in environment and climate change.
In an interview granted to Vietnam News Agency’s correspondent, Ambassador of Vietnam to Canada Nguyen Duc Hoa expressed his belief that with firm foundations and progress of the bilateral relations, along with the two high-level visits of the two countries in almost half of a year, relationship between Vietnam and Canada will thrive in the future.
The diplomat said his belief is based on the sound political relationship over the past 45 years and the comprehensive partnership with in-depth cooperation in various fields.
Vietnam-Canada collaboration has also been fostered through cooperation in education, culture, tourism, student exchange and people-to-people contact, he said, adding that the Vietnamese and Canadian economies are supplementary ones, while both sides are members of the CPTPP.
The visit is expected to help the two sides enhance their political trust, thus promoting trade more practically and effectively.
Canada’s invitation of Vietnam to attend the G7 Outreach Summit showed Canada and G7 countries’ recognition of Vietnam’s position in the world arena, reflecting the international community’s confidence in Vietnam’s capacity of dealing with global issues.
The event also creates an important chance for Vietnam to clarify its external policies and raise its voice at an important forum of world powers.
At the summit, PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc and G7 countries’ leaders will share experience and discuss measures and action programmes to tackle emerging global challenges.
Vietnam has made practical contributions to matters of world’s concern, contributing to maintaining peace, stability and prosperity in the region and the world, while joining hands in completing UN Sustainable Development Goals 2030.
The efforts of Vietnam have affirmed the country’s external policy of open and extensive international integration, showing that Vietnam is a friend and reliable partner, an active and proactive member of the international community.
The visit of PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc will help deepen bilateral cooperation in all promising fields within the framework of the Vietnam-Canada comprehensive partnership.
At the same time, Vietnam will also show its responsibility, commitments and specific actions in coping with global issues amidst its rising position in the world arena.-VNA
VNA
