The talks between Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue and Myanmar Vice President Myint Swe in Nay Pyi Taw on June 17.—VNA/VNS Photo

Nay Pyi Taw — Deputy Prime Minister Vương Đình Huệ highlighted Việt Nam’s wish to unceasingly develop relations with Myanmar during talks with Myanmar Vice President Myint Swe in Nay Pyi Taw on June 17.

At the event, part of Huê’s working visit to Myanmar from June 16 to 18, the host congratulated Vietnam on its socio-economic and diplomatic achievements. He spoke highly of the country’s growing role and stature in the region and the world, offering congratulations on its election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for 2020-2021 with a record number of votes.

Deputy PM Huệ also congratulated Myanmar on its development and diplomatic attainments, affirming that Vietnam treasures and wishes to develop bilateral ties in a stable and long-term manner for the sake of the two peoples and for peace, cooperation and development of ASEAN.

Both sides agreed to increase high-level mutual visits and meetings in the time ahead. They also applauded the maintenance of bilateral cooperation mechanisms, including the successful ninth meeting of the joint committee for bilateral cooperation in Hà Nội in March.

At the talks, host and guest looked into ways to promote economic, trade and investment cooperation – an important pillar in the two countries’ relations, including raising bilateral trade to US$1 billion in the near future.

Deputy PM Huệ thanked and asked the Myanmar Government to continue creating favourable conditions for Vietnamese firms to operate in the country, accelerate the licensing of Vietnamese projects and provide preferential treatment for Vietnamese investors.

The Vietnamese Government always requests Vietnamese enterprises to absolutely adhere to Myanmar’s law, actively contribute to local socio-economic development, and carry out corporate social responsibility programmes, he affirmed.

The two officials also scrutinised directions for strengthening cooperation in other spheres such as security, defence, energy, telecommunications, agriculture and transport.

They welcomed the establishment of the defence policy dialogue mechanism at the deputy ministerial level in 2019 and pledged to step up negotiations on and signing of security and judicial cooperation documents at appropriate points of time. The countries will also boost the implementation of industrial tree and aquacultural development projects while enhancing transport connectivity, via not only air transport but also road and waterway transport.

Regarding regional issues of shared concern, they underlined the importance of maintaining peace, stability and cooperation for common development and prosperity, along with coordinating with each other to address common challenges to regional security, including the East Sea issue.

Việt Nam and Myanmar affirmed their support for the peaceful settlement of East Sea disputes on the basis on international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. 

The countries vowed to support the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea and efforts to soon finalise an efficient and substantive code of conduct in the waters.

The two sides also promised to continue working closely with each other at regional and international forums, especially within the frameworks of the UN, ASEAN, the Non-Aligned Movement, along with sub-regional cooperation mechanisms like the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS), the Cambodia-Laos-Myanmar-Vietnam (CLMV) cooperation, the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS), and the East-West Economic Corridor (EWEC).

On this occasion, Deputy PM Huệ invited Vice President Myint Swe to soon pay an official visit to Việt Nam.

During a courtesy call to Myanmar’s State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi in Nay Pyi Taw on the same day, Deputy PM Huệ mentioned suggestions by Vietnamese firms operating in Myanmar regarding mining, stone product processing, petrol trade and distribution, telecom infrastructure, industrial tree planting and aquaculture. 
Aung San Suu Kyi stressed that the Myanmar government always gives priority to Vietnamese firms in line with the law as well as bilateral comprehensive cooperative partnership. 
She expressed her support for the strengthening of bilateral ties via the Party, government, State, NA channels, and expansion of people-to-people exchange. 

The host suggested promptly completing the Action Programme to realise the Việt Nam – Myanmar comprehensive cooperative partnership for the 2019 – 2024 period, as well as holding activities celebrating the 45th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties (May 28, 1975-2020). 
Congratulating Việt Nam on winning a non-permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council for the 2020 – 2021 tenure, she wished that both sides would further reinforce bilateral ties across finance, energy, agro-forestry-fisheries, telecoms, transportation, tourism, justice, education and culture while stepping up negotiations and signing of cooperation agreements to lay legal framework for joint work in specific areas. 
Host and guest expressed their satisfaction about the development of bilateral ties over the past four decades. Việt Nam is now Myanmar’s ninth largest trade partner and seventh largest investor. The number of Vietnamese tourist arrivals to Myanmar has surged in recent years thanks to direct flight service, reaching about 35,000 last year.  — VNS