Vietnam, Canada hold first political consultation

Hanoi (VNA) - Deputy Foreign Minister Ha Kim Ngoc led a delegation to Canada from July 6-7 and conducted the first deputy foreign minister –level political consultation between the two nations. 

During the visit, Deputy FM Ngoc also met with Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet for Privy Council Office David Angell.

During the meetings, the two sides discussed measures to promote the relationship between the two nations more practically and effectively in the context that Vietnam and Canada are preparing to celebrate the 45th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties in August 2018.

The two sides agreed to increase the exchange of delegations at all levels, including the preparations for the upcoming official visit to Vietnam by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau who will also attend the APEC Economic Leaders Week in November.

Vietnam and Canada consented to boost cooperation in politics-diplomacy, economy-trade, development cooperation, education-training and expand cooperation in security-defence, climate change adaption, science-technology, sustainable development, and clean energy and renewable energy development.

The two countries pledged to continue building and improving legal frameworks and removing obstacles in specific spheres, particularly in trade-investment, negotiating and signing agreements on investment protection, and facilitating agricultural product exports.

The two sides also agreed to pay due attention to cooperation in culture, tourism and sports, as well as relations between the parliaments, localities and enterprises, thus creating a foundation for the long-term and stable relationship between Vietnam and Canada.

Vietnam highly evaluated Canada’s development projects in Vietnam, while the Canadian side affirmed to continue providing development assistance for Vietnam and helping the country implement sustainable development goals, respond to natural disasters, reduce poverty, and develop agriculture and rural areas.

The two sides agreed to continue exchanging views on promoting and ensuring human rights as well as the rights of women and ethnic minority groups.

Vietnam and Canada consented to coordinate closely and effectively and support each other at international and regional organisations and at multilateral forums, particularly in the United Nations (UN), APEC, Francophonie and ASEAN .

The two nations agreed to back ASEAN’s central role in the region as well as closer relations between Canada and the Southeast Asian and Asia-Pacific regions for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

The two sides also discussed international and regional issues of mutual concern and shared the stance on supporting the settlement of territorial disputes through peaceful measures, including dialogues and diplomatic and legal processes, respecting international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 (UNCLOS), and implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), towards the finalisation of the Code of Conduct (COC) in the East Sea.-VNA