Việt Nam and Myanmar signed co-operation agreements on Thursday on trade, culture and education, expressing hope for the future of their strong relationship. — VNA/VNS Photo Trí Dũng

NAY PYI TAW — Việt Nam and Myanmar signed co-operation agreements on Thursday on trade, culture and education, expressing hope for the future of their strong relationship. 

Party General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng and Myanmar’s President Htin Kyaw witnessed the signing of the co-operation documents after their talks in Nay Pyi Taw on Thursday. At the following press conference, the leaders expressed their delight to see the rapid development of the two countries’ friendship and multi-dimensional co-operation.

President Htin Kyaw asserted that since establishing their diplomatic ties in May, 1975, the two countries are “always close friends”. 

They noted further potential for bilateral co-operation and said that they agreed to establish a comprehensive co-operative partnership between the two countries.  

The State visit to Myanmar by Party General Secretary Trọng will chart a new course for the two countries’ co-operation, the President said, affirming that Myanmar always treasures co-operation with ASEAN member countries, including Việt Nam. 

They said they shared viewpoints on issues pertaining to ASEAN, the region and the world, agreeing to work closely with other ASEAN member countries to maintain the bloc’s unity, reinforce its inner co-operation, and promote its central and guiding role in the regional and international context. 

The documents signed include a memorandum of understanding on co-operation in trade between the two ministries of Industry and Trade; a cultural co-operation programme in 2017-20 between Việt Nam’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Myanmar’s Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture; an agreement on co-operation and mutual support in customs between Việt Nam’s Ministry of Finance and Myanmar’s Ministry of Planning and Finance; and an agreement on education co-operation and diploma recognition between the two countries. 

Trọng expressed his belief that “the establishment of the comprehensive co-operative partnership and the good implementation of reached agreements will bring the two countries’ relations to a new height for the sake of their people, for peace, stability, co-operation and development in the region and the globe.” — VNS