Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc meets with Myanmar President Win Myint in Hà Nội on Saturday. –VNA/VNS Photo Thống Nhất

HÀ NỘI – Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc had a meeting in Hà Nội on Saturday with Myanmar President Win Myint, who is in Việt Nam to attend the UN Day of Vesak celebration.

The two leaders expressed their delight at the countries’ thriving relations in various fields, especially since bilateral ties were lifted to a comprehensive cooperative partnership in 2017.

Applauding the recent strides in defence and security cooperation, they agreed that aside from effectively implementing the reached agreements, the two sides will consider expanding cooperation to potential spheres, including navy, military medicine, defence industry, logistics, search and rescue, and fighting crimes related to national and regional security.

They also agreed to promote negotiations for the early signing of a memorandum of understanding on mutual assistance in criminal matters.

PM Phúc welcomed President Win Myint to the UN Day of Vesak celebration in Việt Nam which officially kicks start on Sunday in Hà Nam Province's Tam Chúc Pagoda.

The visiting leader said under the theme “Buddhist Approach to Global Leadership and Shared Responsibilities for Sustainable Societies”, this year’s celebration will help bring into play the core values of Buddhism to resolve major challenges, thereby contributing to peace, cooperation and development.

NA Chairwoman's reception

On the same day, National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân met with Myanmar President Win Myint, describing the latter’s attendance in the UN Day of Vesak celebration in Việt Nam as a contribution to the event’s success.

The host leader said the UN Day of Vesak is an important event of global Buddhists, including in Việt Nam and Myanmar, adding the Myanmar delegation’s presence will help with the celebration’s success, thereby contributing to regional peace and co-operation.

President Win Myint said this is the first time he has come to Việt Nam, stressing that the two countries have recorded fruitful cooperation.

He affirmed Myanmar’s support for Việt Nam’s candidacy for a non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council for the 2020-21 tenure.

The President said during his term, he will also work to intensify partnership with Việt Nam, particularly in economy, trade and investment.

With 18 projects worth US$2.1 billion, Việt Nam now ranks seventh among the 49 countries investing in Myanmar. Bilateral trade has surged from $152.3 million in 2010 to nearly $860 million in 2018.

At the meeting, Chairwoman Ngân said the two countries have enjoyed growing ties between their parliaments, which signed a cooperation agreement in September 2013 and have coordinated closely and effectively at regional and international inter-parliamentary forums.

President Win Myint noted Myanmar will support Việt Nam when the country holds the chair of ASEAN and the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) in 2020 so as to continue contributing to the ASEAN Community’s development. – VNS