HÀ NỘI – Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc and his Slovakian counterpart Robert Fico agreed on measures to step up cooperation between the two countries during their talks in Hà Nội yesterday.
The two leaders said bilateral economic and trade ties has developed steadily in recent years, with an average annual two-way trade of about US$300 million. Slovakia is running five projects in Việt Nam, while the Southeast Asian country has only one project in Slovakia.
In an effort to advance economic links, they agreed to improve the efficiency of the Việt Nam-Slovakia Joint Committee on Economic Cooperation, and increase trade and investment promotion.
The countries will also create optimal conditions for their businesses to set up partnerships, particularly in infrastructure construction, food processing, pharmaceutical production, urban and public transport planning, environmental protection and water resource management.
The PMs were also unanimous about the need to foster collaboration in national defence and security, culture, education-training, science and technology.

PM Phúc said PM Robert Fico’s visit would create a momentum to deepen the time-honoured friendship and cooperation between the two countries in an effective and pragmatic fashion.
Congratulating PM Fico and the Slovakian Government on Slovakia’s assumption of the EU’s rotating presidency, the host expressed his belief that the country would perform this post well in the face of the challenges facing the Union.
For his part, the guest said Slovakia always considered Việt Nam a friendly and long-standing partner, and wished to beef up ties with the Southeast Asian country in all fields.
Fico underlined Slovakia’s backing of enhanced relations between Việt Nam and the EU as well as the signing and ratification of the EU-Việt Nam Free Trade Agreement. He promised to accelerate the EU’s recognition of Việt Nam’s full market economy at the same time with the official signing of the pact.
The two leaders shared their concerns over recent developments in the East Sea and stressed the need to address disputes in the waters through peaceful measures and in line with international law, the UN Charter and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, and seriously observe the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea towards the early formation of a Code of Conduct in the East Sea.

PM Fico invited PM Phúc to pay an official visit to Slovakia  and the Vietnamese PM accepted the invitation with pleasure.
Following their talks, the two PMs witnessed the signing of a handful of cooperation documents in transportation, information and communications, investment and education. They then held a press briefing to announce the outcome of their talks.

Meeting with other leaders

On the same day, Party General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng, President Trần Đại Quang and National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân hosted separate receptions for visiting Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico in Hà Nội.

Meeting with the Slovakian PM, the Party leader praised the high-level political talks between the two countries and urged for continued exchanges of visits and cooperation.

He thanked the Slovakian government for facilitating the Vietnamese community there and called on Slovakia to continue supporting the views of Việt Nam and ASEAN on the East Sea issue.

During the reception for the Slovakian guest, President Trần Đại Quang said the Vietnamese people treasured the precious and effective assistance the Slovakian people gave during Việt Nam’s previous struggles for national liberation and today’s national construction and defense. He reiterated the unswerving policy of facilitating Slovakian businesses to invest in Việt Nam.

The top legislator, Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân, during her reception, asked the Slovakian government to create favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community there, helping to boost the friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

She added that as Slovakia will be the Chair of the EU from July 2016, PM Fico will help boost ties with Việt Nam, speed up the Việt Nam-EU Free Trade Agreement and recognise Việt Nam’s full market economy.--VNS

Joint statement

The two sides have issued a joint statement, in which they agreed to enhance exchanges and mutual support in all regional and international issues of mutual concern. Co-operation in climate change and water security will also be fostered, including water resource management with Mekong – Danube rivers.

The parties also committed to co-operate more closely at the United Nations and the Asia Europe Meeting, while affirming their willingness to promote peace, maritime security, free aviation transport and maritime transport in the East Sea area.

They also agreed on legal and peaceful dispute resolutions in accordance with international laws, including the Convention of the United Nations 1982 Law of the Sea.--VNS