BANGKOK — President Nguyễn Xuân Phúc engaged in bilateral meetings with leaders of many APEC member economies while attending the 29th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Bangkok on November 17 and 18.

At their meeting, President Phúc and his Philippine counterpart Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos agreed to push ahead with efforts to deepening the two countries’ strategic partnership.

President Marcos affirmed that the Philippines always respects the strategic partnership with Việt Nam, and appreciated Việt Nam’s support for the Philippines to ensure food security.  

The two leaders affirmed their resolve to continue coordinating closely to promote solidarity and maintain ASEAN’s centrality in common security issues, including the East Sea, and contribute to efforts to build an environment of peace, security and development in the region and the world.

President Nguyễn Xuân Phúc (R) and Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. VNA/VNS Photo

Talking to Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, President Phúc suggested the two sides study the establishment of partnership in digital economy and green economy as a highlight in their cooperation in the time ahead.

He invited the Singaporean PM to visit Việt Nam to discuss measures to deepening the strategic partnership between the two countries.

The two sides agreed to coordinate to organise practical activities to mark the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic ties and 10th anniversary of their strategic partnership in 2023.

PM Lee Hsien Loong agreed with President Phúc’s suggestions, noting that Việt Nam is an important partner of Singapore in the region. 

President Phúc (L) and Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea Han Duck soo. VNA/VNS Photo

During the meeting with PM Han Duck-soo of the Republic of Korea, President Phúc appreciated the strong strides in bilateral cooperation, and proposed that the two sides support and facilitate the role of the Vietnamese community in the RoK and the RoK community in Việt Nam in order to enhance bilateral ties.  

The two leaders affirmed the importance that the two countries attach to their strategic partnership, with Việt Nam considering the RoK one of the most important partners and the RoK continuing to consider Việt Nam its key partner in the region.

PM Han vowed to continue to cooperate closely with Việt Nam in international and regional issues of common concern and coordinate with Việt Nam to enable the country to fulfil its role as coordinator of ASEAN-RoK ties in 2022-2024. 

President Phúc meets with Chilean President Gabriel Boric in Bangkok on November 18. VNA/VNS Photo

Meeting with Chilean President Gabriel Boric, President Phúc affirmed that Việt Nam is determined to promote ties with Chile. He invited the Chilean President to visit Việt Nam, and proposed that the two countries work together to enhance cooperation between ASEAN and the Pacific Alliance (PA) as well as at other multilateral forums.

President Gabriel Boric Font put forward some proposals aimed at promoting bilateral economic-trade cooperation in the framework of the bilateral free trade agreement as well as the CPTPP.

President Phúc (R) and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. VNA/VNS Photo

Meeting Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on November 17, President Phúc appreciated the Australian government’s decision to increase ODA for Việt Nam by 18 per cent to A$92.8 million in the 2022-23 fiscal year.

The Australian PM congratulated Việt Nam over its election to the UN Human Rights Council in the 2023-25 tenure, saying that he believes Việt Nam will continue to make substantive and effective contribution to the mechanism with its experience from the previous tenure in the council.

He affirmed that Australia attaches importance to strengthening the strategic partnership with Việt Nam, and will coordinate with Việt Nam to celebrate the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties in 2023.

In another meeting, President Phúc and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron shared the wish to further deepening the Việt Nam-France relations.

Phúc proposed that the two sides increase contact, exchanges and visits, and active discuss cooperation in maritime, rice trade, energy security, national defence and mutual support in coping with natural disasters and epidemics.

For his part, the French President reiterated that he respects Việt Nam’s role and position in Southeast Asia and ASEAN. He wished that the two countries will promote cooperation across all fields in 2023 when they will mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties and 10th year of the bilateral strategic partnership, particularly in green energy, agriculture and defence.  

President Phúc invited the French President to visit Việt Nam.

The Vietnamese President also met with his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau, with both of them expressing satisfaction at the strong development of the Việt Nam-Canada strategic partnership. The two sides agreed to increase all-level visits towards the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2023.

They also reached consensus on enhancing cooperation in climate change, gender equality, and handling of global challenges such as food security, energy security and cyber security.

President Trudeau invited President Phúc to visit Canada in 2023.

Talking to Vice President of Peru Dina Ercilia Boluarte Zegarra, President Phúc welcomed the Peruvian parliament’s ratification of CPTPP, saying that it creates a favourable legal framework for raising bilateral trade in the years to come.

The Peruvian Vice President invited Phúc to visit Peru and attend the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in 2024. She said Peru values the effectiveness of investment cooperation between Việt Nam and Peru, and hopes both countries can optimise such mechanisms as APEC, CPTPP, ASEAN and the Pacific Alliance to lift their relations to a new height. — VNS