Deputy PM and FM Pham Binh Minh (R) receives Pakistani Deputy FM Amjad Hussian B.Sial (Photo: VNA)Vietnam and Pakistan held the first political consultation in Hanoi on August 19, during which they affirmed their special attention to the traditional friendship and multi-faceted cooperation.
At the meeting, co-chaired by Deputy Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung and his Pakistani counterpart Amjad Hussian B.Sial, the two sides agreed that it is necessary for the two foreign ministries to uphold their bridging role, thus creating a firm foundation for other cooperative ties.
The two sides consented to hold the next political consultation in 2016 and accelerate the organisation of the third meeting of the Joint Committee on Economic, Cultural, Scientific and Technological Cooperation and the fourth meeting of the Vietnam-Pakistan Joint Sub-Committee on Trade.
Pakistan welcomes stronger export of Vietnamese products such as tea, pepper and basa fish while calling on Vietnamese businesses to invest in banking, energy, oil and gas, garment-textile and footwear sectors in the country in the forms of joint ventures or wholly foreign invested companies.
The Pakistani side noted their hope that Vietnam’s airlines will consider the opening of a route to Islamabad in the time ahead, as connectivity is important to boosting trade and tourism ties.
Both sides highly valued the two countries’ close coordination at regional and international forums such as the ASEAN Regional Forum and the Asia-Europe Meeting, and expressed support of each other’ bids to join UN agencies such as the Human Rights Council, the Economic and Social Council and the Security Council.
Stressing ASEAN’s centrality in the Asia-Pacific region and its role in settling issues regarding regional peace and stability, the Pakistani side noted their hope that Vietnam will assist the country in tightening its cooperation with the group within the framework of the “East Asia vision” policy.
Discussing regional and international issues of mutual concern, the two sides said peace and stability is prerequisite for cooperation and development.
In the spirit, Pakistan backs efforts of relevant parties in ensuring peace, stability and maritime security and safety in the East Sea.
All disputes should be addressed peacefully without using or threatening to use force, they said, applauding the parties to strictly abide by the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea and fundamental regulations of international law. The two sides also called on all sides to cooperate to soon reach the Code of Conduct in the East Sea.
The same day, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh received the Pakistani Deputy Foreign Minister and hailed the outcomes of the political consultation, especially the proposed initiatives to strengthen the collaboration in various areas and their joint perception on many international and regional issues of common concern.
He applauded the two foreign ministries for serving as coordinator for bilateral cooperation.
The Pakistani Deputy FM reiterated his country’s wish to further coordinate with Vietnam at regional and international forums, and in joint efforts to protect peace, stability, cooperation and development in Asia.-VNA
