Prime Minister Charlot Salwai meets with his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyễn Xuân Phúc at their meeting on Saturday.— Photo Thống Nhất

PORT MORESBY — The South Pacific island nation of Vanuatu attaches importance to its friendship and cooperation with Việt Nam.

That was the message from its Prime Minister Charlot Salwai to his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyễn Xuân Phúc at their meeting on Saturday. 

During the meeting, which was held on the sidelines of the 26th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, the Vanuatu leader expressed his hope the two sides will enhance the exchange of delegations to promote their cooperation in the future. 

Mr Salwai informed PM Phúc about his country’s plan to open a consulate general office in HCM City, adding that Vanuatu supports Việt Nam’s candidacy for a non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council for the term 2020-2021. 

Vanuatu will continue to create favourable conditions for the community of Vietnamese expats in the country, enabling them to contribute to the nation’s development and the bilateral relation, he said.

For his part, PM Phúc applauded Vanuatu’s decision to set up the office in HCM City, while informing that Việt Nam will also assign an honorary consul to Vanuatu. 

The two leaders agreed to effectively implement the memorandum of understanding (MoU) on technical and development cooperation between the two nations, to accelerate negotiations and signing of agreements on visa exemption for holders of diplomatic and official passports; and on cooperation in the fields of aviation, forestry, fishery and aquaculture. 

They also confirmed the importance of maintaining a peaceful and stable environment in the region and the regional order on the basis of international law; and ensuring the security, safety and freedom of aviation and navigation. — VNS