HÀ NỘI – Việt Nam’s Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc and his Sri Lankan counterpart Ranil Wickremesinghe expressed determination to elevate the two countries’ relations during talks in Hà Nội yesterday.

The two PMs expressed their satisfaction over the growing friendship and co-operation between Việt Nam and Sri Lanka over the past 47 years since they established diplomatic ties in July 1970.

They agreed to boost cooperation in politics and external affairs via increasing high-level delegation exchanges and promoting relations between the parties, states and parliaments.

The leaders agreed on the need to effectively implement bilateral co-operation mechanisms, including organising the fourth meeting of the joint committee and the third political consultation this year.

They pledged to step up collaboration in security-defence and share information and experience in legal execution, combating cross-border crime, addressing post-war consequences and joining UN peacekeeping activities.

To realise the two-way trade target of US$1 billion in the coming years, the two sides vowed to urge agencies to map out measures to deepen bilateral co-operation in fields such as oil and gas, infrastructure, information technology and communication, garment-textile, farm produce processing and distribution, and seafood.

The PMs agreed to implement the agreement on investment encouragement and protection and sign new co-operation deals for new circumstances.

They were committed to prioritising co-operation in other important fields such as energy, tourism, education, human resources development, and cultural exchanges.

They stressed the importance of aviation connectivity, which will help promote bilateral trade, tourism and people-to-people exchanges.

The host and guest vowed to work together at regional and international forums, while strengthening co-operation between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (SAARC).

Both sides stressed the significance of maintaining peace and stability in the East Sea as well as navigation and aviation safety, removing trade barriers and settling disputes and differences via peaceful means and in line with international law.

After the talks, the PMs witnessed the signing of two co-operation agreements, including a co-operation plan on agricultural development in 2017-19, and a co-operation agreement on education in 2017-21.

Multifaceted co-operation

Party General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng yesterday told the Sri Lankan PM that the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV) welcomes strengthened ties with political parties and is ready to share development experience with Sri Lanka. 
At a reception for the visiting PM, the Party chief suggested the two sides take measures to effectively deploy already-signed agreements and wished that bilateral ties would continue growing for the benefits of their people. 
The Party leader also conveyed his profound condolences to families of victims in a recent garbage mountain collapse that left at least 26 dead and dozens missing in a suburb of the capital city Colombo. 
PM Wickremesinghe, for his part, noted that Sri Lanka places importance on promoting friendship, people-to-people exchanges and co-operation with Việt Nam. 
He hoped that the two nations would continue reinforcing bilateral ties and mutual support at multilateral forums, contributing to maintaining peace, stability and development in the region and world. 
Meanwhile, in a meeting with PM Wickremesinghe earlier yesterday,  President Trần Đại Quang asked for increasing the exchange of delegations and meetings at all levels and effectively implementing existing co-operation mechanisms towards reaching two-way trade of $1 billion.

Both sides need to implement their Agreement on Investment Promotion and Protection signed in October 2009 and a portfolio of fields prioritised for investment under a co-operation agreement between the two foreign investment agencies signed in October 2011, he said.

National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân also hosted a reception for PM Wickremesinghe.

She thanked the Sri Lankan government and people for honouring late President Hồ Chí Minh by placing his statue in the National Library of Sri Lanka in Colombo.

Having witnessed the development of Sri Lanka during her visit to the country in 2013 as NA deputy chairwomen, Ngân said the Vietnamese NA will create a legal framework for the two countries to successfully execute co-operation agreements.

Wickremesinghe thanked Ngân for her warm welcome and expressed hope that the two countries will increase exchanges between parliamentary members, businessmen and youth.

He also said that Sri Lanka will send parliamentary delegations to Việt Nam to share experience. – VNS