HÀ NỘI – Deputy Prime Minister Trương Hoà Bình received Mongolian Minister of Justice and Home Affairs Tsend Nyamdorj, who is on a working visit to Việt Nam, in Hà Nội yesterday.

Noting recent strides in the two countries’ friendship, Deputy PM Bình said during the Mongolian official’s trip, the two sides will sign an agreement on the transfer of sentenced persons and negotiate another on extradition. He expressed his hope that both will finalise negotiations soon so as to sign the extradition deal in the near future.

He also called for stronger co-operation in security, defence, and the defence industry, while encouraging the speeding up of talks on and the signing of an agreement on the protection and exchange of classified information.

The host reiterated Việt Nam’s foreign policy of enhancing bilateral and multilateral relations, as well as reinforcing friendship with traditional friends, including Mongolia. He also expressed the country’s wish to tap into their time-tested friendship and potential to serve each side’s development and contribute to peace, stability and development in the region and the world.

The Deputy PM asked both countries to strengthen political trust through high-level visits, meetings and delegation exchanges between ministries and sectors.

They should also boost the sharing of information and experience in crime fighting, co-operate in enhancing the capacity of law enforcement and work together to sign an agreement on classified information protection and exchange and another on extradition, he said, asking Mongolia to admit Vietnamese officers to training courses within the framework of the Khaan Quest exercise.

At the meeting, Bình noted that while economic and trade ties have improved, they still remain modest. He asked the two sides to promote economic-trade links on par with the sound political relations, in particular by importing goods their partner holds strengths in and helping each other’s enterprises do business.

He also called on Mongolia to facilitate Vietnamese companies’ formation of joint ventures and investment in both wool and leather production, and mineral and petroleum mining.

People-to-people exchange – especially in terms of cultural, educational and sports activities – should be increased as the two countries mark 65 years of diplomatic ties in 2019, he added, asking Mongolia to create favourable conditions for Vietnamese people in the country. He also said Việt Nam is ready to send quality workers to Mongolia.

Deputy PM Bình urged the two countries to foster co-ordination and mutual support at regional and international forums, including the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movements, the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), as well as in global issues of shared concern.

He also thanked Mongolia for supporting Việt Nam’s candidacy for a non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council for 2020-2021, as well as Việt Nam and ASEAN’s stance on maintaining peace, security, stability, and the settlement of East Sea disputes in line with international law.

For his part, Minister Nyamdorj said the two sides are negotiating the extradition agreement and agreed to sign this deal soon. The countries will celebrate 65 years of diplomatic ties in 2019, so they will pay close attention to marking this anniversary.

He added that Việt Nam’s Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Public Security have enhanced co-operation with the Mongolian Ministry of Justice and Home Affairs.

His country wishes to continue to solidify these connections, especially in mutual legal assistance to create a favourable legal environment for the two countries’ citizens. — VNS