Myanmar's State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi is welcomed by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc in Hanoi on April 19. (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) - Myanmar's State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who is also Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the President’s Office, paid an official visit to Vietnam from April 19-20 at the invitation of Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc. On this occasion, the two nations issued a joint statement.
The following is the full text of the joint statement.
1. At the invitation of HisExcellency Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam,Her Excellency Daw Aung San SuuKyi, State Counsellorof the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, paid her first official visit to Vietnam from 19 to 20April 2018.
2. During the visit, State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was accorded a ceremonial welcome by His Excellency Prime Minister Nguyen XuanPhuc. While in Vietnam, State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi held bilateraltalks with Prime Minister NguyenXuan Phuc and attended the banquet hostedby the Prime Minister. StateCounsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi alsopaid courtesy calls on Leaders of Vietnam, laid a wreath at the Monument of National Heroes andMartyrs, and visited President Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House. The State Counselloralso met with Chairman of Vietnam – Myanmar Friendship Association, andVietnamese enterprises operating in Myanmar.
3. The two leadersacknowledged that the existing traditional friendship and the close cooperation between Vietnam and Myanmar were established by President Ho Chi Minh and General Aung Sanand cultivated by generations of leaders and people from both countries. Theyreaffirmed their common aspirations for peace, prosperity and development ofthe region and beyond. Vietnamese leaders emphasized that Vietnamis always mindful of the strongsupport rendered by the Governmentand people of Myanmar in the past struggle for national liberation and in current efforts for national development. StateCounsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyiexpressed her admiration for the determination and courage with which the Governmentand people of Vietnam defended anddeveloped their country. State CounsellorDaw Aung San Suu Kyi congratulated Vietnam for successfully implementing the strategy of renovation, reform and intensive and extensive international integration.
4. TheLeaders reviewed developments in bilateral relations and cooperation since thevery successful visit of His Excellency Nguyen Phu Trong, General Secretary ofCentral Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam to Myanmar in August 2017. TheVietnamese side stressed the importance attached to relations with Myanmar and the Government led by the National League for Democracy(NLD) and reaffirmed its continued support for peace and national reconciliation inMyanmar. Vietnam firmly believes that the 21st Century Panglong was a major stepforward and, through dialogues and negotiation, theGovernment of Myanmar would continue to succeed in building astable and thriving democratic federal Union. Myanmar side expressed itsappreciation to Vietnam for its consistent support,as well as for sharing with Myanmar its experience with regard to national reconciliation and development.
5. PrimeMinister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi noted withsatisfaction the positive progress in bilateral cooperation in past years,particularly the elevation of bilateral tiesto Comprehensive Cooperative Partnership in August 2017. Both sides reaffirmed tostrengthen further the effectiveness of comprehensive cooperation in all areas,including trade and investment, cultural, social and educational cooperation. These efforts will enhance trust and intensified cooperation betweenthe two countries, bringing practical benefits for the peoples.
6. In order to effectivelyimplement the Comprehensive Cooperative Partnership Agreement, the two leadersexpressed their strong desire to promote cooperation in politics, trade andinvestment, defence and security, agro-forestry and fishery, connectivity,energy and telecommunication, tourism, justice, education and people-to-peopleexchange and regional involvement.
7. The two sides emphasized thatthe exchange of visits at all levels and channels, including government togovernment, parliament to parliament, party to party, people to people, willenhance friendship and cooperation between the two countries. Both sides agreedthat close party to party cooperation is an important pillar of bilateral tiesand looked forward to the early signing of Action Plan 2018-2023 to implementthe Comprehensive Cooperative Partnership established in August 2017.
8. Thetwo sides recognized the strong development in bilateral economic cooperation:the two-way trade volume in 2017 reached nearly USD 830 million, a 51% increasecompared to 2016. Vietnam has risen to become the 7th largest foreign investor in Myanmar with 17 projectsand USD 2.1 billion in registered capital. This relationship of cooperationdemonstrates that the two economies complement each other and brings benefits toboth sides, in the fields of agricultural trade, investment, aqua productprocessing, tourism and services given the circumstance that the Government of Myanmar is carrying out extensiveeconomic reforms. The two sides also reaffirmed the commitment to enhancecooperation and find new means to reach the two-way trade target of 1billion USD at the earliest possible. Both sides stressed the importance of policyprovision in trade and investment and providing favourable environment forforeign investors, including Myanmar investors and Vietnam investors. Leadersof both sides recognized the need to study further the possibility ofestablishing new mechanism as well as to sign the necessary MOUs/Agreements tohelp facilitate and promote investment between the two countries.
9. Both sides expressedappreciation of recent developments in bilateral defense-security cooperation andreaffirmed continued effective implementationof agreements reached under bilateral and multilateral frameworks. The two sides agreedto expand defense and security cooperation including exchange of military delegationsat all levels, and conducting the Defence Policy Dialogue at the DeputyMinisterial Level in 2018, expanding cooperation into other areas, i.e.training, medical assistance, search and rescue, sport exchange. Vietnamwelcomes friendship, sightseeing and field research visits by Myanmar delegations as well as Myanmar trainees attending courses on treatment of burns and the manufacture of prosthetic limbs in Vietnam.
10. Two sides welcomed and committed tofully implement the newly signed MoU on Cooperation in the field of Post,Telecommunication and ICT and MoU on Information Cooperation. Both sides agreedto expedite the negotiation for early signing of Agreement on Prevention andFight Against Crime and other agreements/treaties in field of securitycooperation. Both sides reaffirmed the commitment not to allow anyindividual or organization to use one country’s territory to conduct activitiesagainst the other country.
11. Both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation with a view towardspromoting closer financial linkages and acknowledging to enhance the financialsector, including financial services. The two sides also emphasized theimportance of strengthening bilateral cooperation in telecommunication andenergy sector, especially in the fieldsof oil and gas, infrastructure sharing.
12. Both sides reiterated that Agro-forestryand fishery cooperation is an important area ofcooperation with many advantages and potential for mutual support anddevelopment. In that spirit, the two sides agreed to sign agreements on agriculture, forestry, fisheriesand livestock and to expand cooperation at an early date to find ways to improve the quality andvalue of agricultural products, including corn,rice, beans and mung beans. The two sides expressed commitmentto accelerate procedure to sign the MOU on Cooperative in Agriculture and RuralDevelopment at the earliest.
13. The two sides also agreed topromote multi-modal transportcooperation, including land, sea andair links between the two countries and within the sub-region. In light of thesuccessful GMS 6 held in Hanoi in March 2018, the two sides will work closelytogether to achieve the goals set out at GMS 6.
14. The two Leaders also discussed ways to deepen further bilateral ties intourism, justice, education and people-to-people exchange under the frameworkof Comprehensive Cooperative Partnership. Both sides encouraged the effectiveimplementation of the student exchange programs at all levels. The Leaders reiteratedto support the role and activities of Vietnam-Myanmar Friendship Associationand Myanmar – Vietnam Friendship Association to enhance people-to-peopleexchange, to contribute proactively to the extensive development of theComprehensive Cooperative Partnership between the two countries.
15. The two Leaders expressed appreciation of theclose cooperation in regional and international fora, including ASEAN,Non-Aligned Movement and the United Nations. To elevate the excellentcooperation to new heights in the spirit of the ComprehensiveCooperative Partnership, both sides agreed to continue to support the realization of the ASEAN Community’s goals through regionalcooperation within the ACMECS and the CLMV frameworks, especially in the areas of environment, povertyalleviation, water security, connectivity and human resources development.
16. The two sides reiterated to continue close cooperation in regional cooperation mechanisms in the Mekong sub-region, including the Mekong – Japan, Mekong – Korea, Mekong – Ganga, Lower Mekong Initiative as well asGreater Mekong Sub-region. Vietnam encouraged Myanmar to become an official member of the Mekong RiverCommission (MRC).
17. Leadersof both sides expressed commitment to cooperate closely to build a successfulASEAN Community with central role in the regional security architecture.
18. Bothsides reiterated the importance ofmaintaining peace, stability, freedom of navigation and overflight in the region;underlined the importance of the peaceful resolution of disputes in accordancewith international law, the 1982 UNCLOS, without resorting to threat or use of force. Both sides committed to support the full and effectiveimplementation of the DOC and the early conclusion of an effective COC in theSouth China Sea.
19. StateCounsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyiexpressed her deep gratitude for the hospitality, cordiality and warm-hearted reception that Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc accorded to her and to the members of the delegation and looked forward to receiving Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on an official visit to Myanmar at a mutually convenient time.-VNA
2. During the visit, State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was accorded a ceremonial welcome by His Excellency Prime Minister Nguyen XuanPhuc. While in Vietnam, State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi held bilateraltalks with Prime Minister NguyenXuan Phuc and attended the banquet hostedby the Prime Minister. StateCounsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi alsopaid courtesy calls on Leaders of Vietnam, laid a wreath at the Monument of National Heroes andMartyrs, and visited President Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House. The State Counselloralso met with Chairman of Vietnam – Myanmar Friendship Association, andVietnamese enterprises operating in Myanmar.
3. The two leadersacknowledged that the existing traditional friendship and the close cooperation between Vietnam and Myanmar were established by President Ho Chi Minh and General Aung Sanand cultivated by generations of leaders and people from both countries. Theyreaffirmed their common aspirations for peace, prosperity and development ofthe region and beyond. Vietnamese leaders emphasized that Vietnamis always mindful of the strongsupport rendered by the Governmentand people of Myanmar in the past struggle for national liberation and in current efforts for national development. StateCounsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyiexpressed her admiration for the determination and courage with which the Governmentand people of Vietnam defended anddeveloped their country. State CounsellorDaw Aung San Suu Kyi congratulated Vietnam for successfully implementing the strategy of renovation, reform and intensive and extensive international integration.
4. TheLeaders reviewed developments in bilateral relations and cooperation since thevery successful visit of His Excellency Nguyen Phu Trong, General Secretary ofCentral Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam to Myanmar in August 2017. TheVietnamese side stressed the importance attached to relations with Myanmar and the Government led by the National League for Democracy(NLD) and reaffirmed its continued support for peace and national reconciliation inMyanmar. Vietnam firmly believes that the 21st Century Panglong was a major stepforward and, through dialogues and negotiation, theGovernment of Myanmar would continue to succeed in building astable and thriving democratic federal Union. Myanmar side expressed itsappreciation to Vietnam for its consistent support,as well as for sharing with Myanmar its experience with regard to national reconciliation and development.
5. PrimeMinister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi noted withsatisfaction the positive progress in bilateral cooperation in past years,particularly the elevation of bilateral tiesto Comprehensive Cooperative Partnership in August 2017. Both sides reaffirmed tostrengthen further the effectiveness of comprehensive cooperation in all areas,including trade and investment, cultural, social and educational cooperation. These efforts will enhance trust and intensified cooperation betweenthe two countries, bringing practical benefits for the peoples.
6. In order to effectivelyimplement the Comprehensive Cooperative Partnership Agreement, the two leadersexpressed their strong desire to promote cooperation in politics, trade andinvestment, defence and security, agro-forestry and fishery, connectivity,energy and telecommunication, tourism, justice, education and people-to-peopleexchange and regional involvement.
7. The two sides emphasized thatthe exchange of visits at all levels and channels, including government togovernment, parliament to parliament, party to party, people to people, willenhance friendship and cooperation between the two countries. Both sides agreedthat close party to party cooperation is an important pillar of bilateral tiesand looked forward to the early signing of Action Plan 2018-2023 to implementthe Comprehensive Cooperative Partnership established in August 2017.
8. Thetwo sides recognized the strong development in bilateral economic cooperation:the two-way trade volume in 2017 reached nearly USD 830 million, a 51% increasecompared to 2016. Vietnam has risen to become the 7th largest foreign investor in Myanmar with 17 projectsand USD 2.1 billion in registered capital. This relationship of cooperationdemonstrates that the two economies complement each other and brings benefits toboth sides, in the fields of agricultural trade, investment, aqua productprocessing, tourism and services given the circumstance that the Government of Myanmar is carrying out extensiveeconomic reforms. The two sides also reaffirmed the commitment to enhancecooperation and find new means to reach the two-way trade target of 1billion USD at the earliest possible. Both sides stressed the importance of policyprovision in trade and investment and providing favourable environment forforeign investors, including Myanmar investors and Vietnam investors. Leadersof both sides recognized the need to study further the possibility ofestablishing new mechanism as well as to sign the necessary MOUs/Agreements tohelp facilitate and promote investment between the two countries.
9. Both sides expressedappreciation of recent developments in bilateral defense-security cooperation andreaffirmed continued effective implementationof agreements reached under bilateral and multilateral frameworks. The two sides agreedto expand defense and security cooperation including exchange of military delegationsat all levels, and conducting the Defence Policy Dialogue at the DeputyMinisterial Level in 2018, expanding cooperation into other areas, i.e.training, medical assistance, search and rescue, sport exchange. Vietnamwelcomes friendship, sightseeing and field research visits by Myanmar delegations as well as Myanmar trainees attending courses on treatment of burns and the manufacture of prosthetic limbs in Vietnam.
10. Two sides welcomed and committed tofully implement the newly signed MoU on Cooperation in the field of Post,Telecommunication and ICT and MoU on Information Cooperation. Both sides agreedto expedite the negotiation for early signing of Agreement on Prevention andFight Against Crime and other agreements/treaties in field of securitycooperation. Both sides reaffirmed the commitment not to allow anyindividual or organization to use one country’s territory to conduct activitiesagainst the other country.
11. Both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation with a view towardspromoting closer financial linkages and acknowledging to enhance the financialsector, including financial services. The two sides also emphasized theimportance of strengthening bilateral cooperation in telecommunication andenergy sector, especially in the fieldsof oil and gas, infrastructure sharing.
12. Both sides reiterated that Agro-forestryand fishery cooperation is an important area ofcooperation with many advantages and potential for mutual support anddevelopment. In that spirit, the two sides agreed to sign agreements on agriculture, forestry, fisheriesand livestock and to expand cooperation at an early date to find ways to improve the quality andvalue of agricultural products, including corn,rice, beans and mung beans. The two sides expressed commitmentto accelerate procedure to sign the MOU on Cooperative in Agriculture and RuralDevelopment at the earliest.
13. The two sides also agreed topromote multi-modal transportcooperation, including land, sea andair links between the two countries and within the sub-region. In light of thesuccessful GMS 6 held in Hanoi in March 2018, the two sides will work closelytogether to achieve the goals set out at GMS 6.
14. The two Leaders also discussed ways to deepen further bilateral ties intourism, justice, education and people-to-people exchange under the frameworkof Comprehensive Cooperative Partnership. Both sides encouraged the effectiveimplementation of the student exchange programs at all levels. The Leaders reiteratedto support the role and activities of Vietnam-Myanmar Friendship Associationand Myanmar – Vietnam Friendship Association to enhance people-to-peopleexchange, to contribute proactively to the extensive development of theComprehensive Cooperative Partnership between the two countries.
15. The two Leaders expressed appreciation of theclose cooperation in regional and international fora, including ASEAN,Non-Aligned Movement and the United Nations. To elevate the excellentcooperation to new heights in the spirit of the ComprehensiveCooperative Partnership, both sides agreed to continue to support the realization of the ASEAN Community’s goals through regionalcooperation within the ACMECS and the CLMV frameworks, especially in the areas of environment, povertyalleviation, water security, connectivity and human resources development.
16. The two sides reiterated to continue close cooperation in regional cooperation mechanisms in the Mekong sub-region, including the Mekong – Japan, Mekong – Korea, Mekong – Ganga, Lower Mekong Initiative as well asGreater Mekong Sub-region. Vietnam encouraged Myanmar to become an official member of the Mekong RiverCommission (MRC).
17. Leadersof both sides expressed commitment to cooperate closely to build a successfulASEAN Community with central role in the regional security architecture.
18. Bothsides reiterated the importance ofmaintaining peace, stability, freedom of navigation and overflight in the region;underlined the importance of the peaceful resolution of disputes in accordancewith international law, the 1982 UNCLOS, without resorting to threat or use of force. Both sides committed to support the full and effectiveimplementation of the DOC and the early conclusion of an effective COC in theSouth China Sea.
19. StateCounsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyiexpressed her deep gratitude for the hospitality, cordiality and warm-hearted reception that Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc accorded to her and to the members of the delegation and looked forward to receiving Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on an official visit to Myanmar at a mutually convenient time.-VNA
VNA
