Canadian Foreign Minister Stephane Dion has announced that his country will provide C$15 million ($11.6 million) to help small- and medium-sized enterprises in Việt Nam reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  — Photo laodongthudo.vn

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam wishes to enhance multi-faceted co-operation with Canada and further promote bilateral relations practically and effectively, said President Trần Đại Quang.

Quang made the statement yesterday while receiving Canadian Foreign Minister Stephane Dion, who is on an official visit to Việt Nam.

Praising the recent development in bilateral ties across many fields, Quang spoke highly of Canada’s commitment to continue offering Official Development Assistance to Việt Nam and to continue supporting Việt Nam in areas of Canada’s strengths, such as poverty reduction, food safety and coping with climate change.

He thanked Canada for its financial assistance worth US$11.6 million, which was announced during the Canadian diplomat’s visit, to help Việt Nam fight against climate change. 

The President said he wished the Canadian Parliament would soon approve the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), creating conditions to promote high-standard free trade in the region.

He proposed that the two countries expand people-to-people exchanges and co-operation in the areas of national defence, security, crime prevention and control, and education and training, in addition to promoting political, economic, commercial and investment relations.

President Quang hailed the results of talks held between Canadian Foreign Minister Dion and his Vietnamese counterpart, Phạm Bình Minh, who doubles as Deputy Prime Minister.

Dion briefed his host on the foreign policy of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to enhance co-operation and linkage with the Asia-Pacific region, ASEAN and Việt Nam.

He conveyed the PM’s invitation to President Quang to visit Canada, which Quang accepted.

Both host and guest discussed measures to deal with disputes in the East Sea by peaceful solutions, abiding by international laws and practices.

Foreign Ministers’ talks

Earlier the same day, Canadian Foreign Minister Dion held talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Minh.

The two sides agreed to focus on stepping up co-operation in the areas of economics, trade and investment, and development assistance in the time ahead.

They said two-way trade increased by 20-25 per cent to over $4 billion in 2015. Canada’s direct investment exceeded $5 billion a year.

The two sides agreed to increase the exchange of delegations, especially at high-ranking levels, and enhance existing dialogue mechanisms, including the political dialogue at the deputy foreign minister level.

They will strengthen co-ordination at regional and international forums, including the 2016-2020 Plan of Action to Implement the ASEAN-Canada Enhanced Partnership.

Both exchanged views on the regional political and security situation, covering both traditional and non-traditional challenges.

They also discussed the peaceful settlement of disputes in the East Sea with respect for legal and diplomatic processes, as well as international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS), in order to maintain peace, stability, security, and maritime and aviation freedom in the sea.

Speaking at a press conference following the talks, Minh spoke highly of Canada’s assistance, noting his hope that the country would continue to help Việt Nam access preferential loans of the World Bank’s International Development Association after 2017.

Canadian aid

Canadian Foreign Minister Stephane Dion has announced that his country will provide C$15 million ($11.6 million) to help small- and medium-sized enterprises in Việt Nam reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 

Việt Nam is one of the countries most and vulnerable to climate change, forcing the nation to face several challenges, for example severe salinisation in the Cửu Long (Mekong) delta region, he said in an interview yesterday afternoon.

“We can work together to help Việt Nam adapt to climate change,” he said.

“If we don’t treat climate change properly, the next generations will have to pay for it”.

Dion expressed his hope that Canada can support Việt Nam in tackling the impacts of climate change in a meeting with Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Trần Hồng Hà yesterday morning.

The Foreign Minister said he hoped for further information exchanges between the two Governments, particularly on Việt Nam’s plans on climate change, environmental protection and water resource management.

Canada also showed interest in the Southeast Asian nation’s ratification and implementation of the Paris Agreement on climate change, of which both are members, and its plan to use green energy and technology. 

Vietnamese environmental minister Hà suggested Canada continue supporting the Climate Change Response Support Programme in Việt Nam in 2016-2020 and aid Việt Nam in implementing the Intended Nationally Determined Contribution and the Paris agreement. — VNS