Vietnam and Bangladesh has issued a joint communique at the end of a three-day official visit by Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on November 4, affirming their determination to bring bilateral relations to a new height.
Following is the full text of the Vietnam-Bangladesh joint communique.
1. At the invitation of Nguyen Tan Dung, Prime Minister of Vietnam, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh paid an official visit to Vietnam from November 2-4, 2012 . The visit was historic for the fact that it was the first official visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to Vietnam .
2. The official welcoming ceremony for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was held at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi on November 2, 2012 . During her visit, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina held talks with and attended the official banquet hosted by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, met with Nguyen Phu Trong, Secretary General of the Communist Party of Vietnam and Truong Tan Sang, State President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, visited Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, laid floral tribute at the Memorial of the Heroic Martyrs, attended the Vietnam – Bangladesh Business Forum and visited some economic and cultural establishments in Hanoi. At the end of the visit, the two sides released a Joint Communique.
3. The bilateral talks were held in an atmosphere of friendship, mutual trust and understanding. The two sides informed each other of each country’s political and economic situation. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed her admiration for the courageous struggle of the Vietnamese people for national independence and reunification and congratulated the Vietnamese Government and people on their tremendous achievements in the reform process conducted over the past years. Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung congratulated the Government and people of Bangladesh on their great achievements in national construction and development and on the country’s growing role and position in the region and the world.
4. The two leaders noted with satisfaction the development and diversification of bilateral relations over the past 40 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations on February 11, 1973 . The two Leaders agreed to promote the exchange of high-level visits with a view to further enhancing bilateral ties. Accordingly, the Bangladesh Prime Minister invited Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung to pay an official visit to Bangladesh . Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung accepted the invitation with pleasure. The time of the visit would be arranged through diplomatic channel. The Prime Minister of Bangladesh also extended an invitation to the Secretary General of the Communist Party of Vietnam to pay an official visit to Bangladesh in the coming years.
5. The two Leaders agreed to further strengthen cooperation on political, security, defence, economy, trade and investment, information-communication, and agriculture. They also agreed to organize the Second Meeting of the Vietnam-Bangladesh Joint Commission and the first Political Consultation between the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs at an early date to review and set out directions for bilateral cooperation in the coming years.
6. The two sides agreed to step up cooperation in security and defence through exchange of delegations at all levels; exchange of experience on participation in UN Peacekeeping Operations and co-operation in fighting against transnational crimes and trafficking in persons. On this occasion, the Bangladesh side also reaffirmed that it would create favourable conditions for Vietnamese companies to establish contacts and explore opportunities for cooperation with Bangladesh partners including in the military industry and logistic supply.
7. The two Leaders witnessed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam and the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock of Bangladesh in the field of Fisheries and Livestock; and the Extention of the MOU between the Government of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam and the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh on cooperation in the field of agriculture signed on 22 nd March 2004 in Dhaka; Memorandum of Understanding on trade promotion between the Viet Nam Trade Promotion Agency (VIETRADE) under Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam and the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) under Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh; MOU on cooperation on establishment of the Bangladesh-Vietnam Business Council and the Vietnam-Bangladesh Business Council between the Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FBCCI), and the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) . The two Leaders noted that these agreements provide important legal foundation for relevant Agencies and Ministries of the two countries to implement and expand cooperation in specific fields.
8. On this occasion Bangladesh officially recognised Vietnam ’s market economy status with a view to further promoting bilateral economic and trade cooperation and deepening the warm friendship and thriving cooperation between the two countries.
9. The two sides noted with satisfaction the close cooperation between the two Ministries of Information and communication, particularly in covering news on the occasion of the two countries’ celebration of major anniversaries and high level visits, hence the promotion of each country’s relations. The two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in information and communication, particularly in training, sharing of management experience and in specialised sector of post and telecommunication.
10. The two sides highly valued cooperation and close coordination between the two countries in regional and international fora. In this connection, the two sides confirmed reciprocal support between Vietnam ’s candidature to the United Nations Human Rights Council (2014-2016) and Bangladesh ’s candidature to the United Nations Human Rights Council (2015-2017). Bangladesh expressed gratitude for Vietnam ’s support to the former’s membership in the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM).
11. The two sides agreed to continue working together on institutionalisation of a global compact to deal with climate change in the four recognised tracks of action - viz adaptation, mitigation, financing and technology transfer. They also stressed that the developed countries must take the lead in making ambitious commitments on emission cuts, climate finance and technology transfer and the developing countries must also do their part on the basis of differentiated responsibility.
12. Vietnam noted Bangladesh ’s desire to foster the partnership and cooperation with ASEAN, to join the East-West Economic Corridor (EWEC) and Mekong-Ganges Cooperation (MGC) and assured Bangladesh of pursuing the matter with other members.
13. The two Leaders noted with satisfaction the positive outcomes of the official visit by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, which stands as a testimony to the continuation of exellent ties between the two countries.
14. Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina thanked the Government and the people of Vietnam for the hospitality and warm welcome extended to her and the Bangladesh delegation during her official visit to Vietnam./.VNA
