Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc (right) meets with his Czech counterpart Andrej Babis in Tokyo on Tuesday. VNA/VNS Photo Thống Nhất·

TOKYO — Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc met with Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Andrej Babis, President of Bulgaria Rumen Radev, and President of Albania Ilir Meta in Tokyo yesterday after attending the enthronement ceremony of Emperor Naruhito.

The meetings focused on measures to deepen ties between Việt Nam and their respective countries.

The leaders discussed ways to enhance mutual collaboration with Việt Nam at regional and global forums, especially when Việt Nam takes over the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2020 and sits as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2020-21 tenure.

They also highlighted the importance of maintaining peace, stability, maritime security and safety in the East Sea, and expressed support for the settlement of disputes by peaceful means in line with international law.

PM Babis vowed to create favourable conditions for Việt Nam’s Bamboo Airways to complete procedures to launch a direct route linking Hà Nội and Prague to facilitate bilateral trade.

The Czech Republic was implementing consular measures to facilitate Vietnamese citizens’ travelling to the country, the PM said.
PM Phúc told his Czech counterpart that tens of thousands of Vietnamese people living and working in the Czech Republic served as an important bridge to push ties between the two countries.

During the meeting with the Bulgarian President, the Vietnamese leader called on both countries to tap bilateral co-operation based on each other’s strengths, with a focus on education and training, information technology, electronics, chemicals and pharmaceuticals.

Phúc said Việt Nam was ready to create favourable conditions for Bulgaria to enhance its partnership with ASEAN when the country becomes the group’s chair next year.

He asked for Bulgaria to approve the EVIPA and push for the European Parliament’s ratification of the EVFTA.

PM Phúc and Albanian President Meta highlighted the need to increase the sharing of information, including holding economic and trade forums.

They promised to step up negotiations and sign agreements on double taxation avoidance and investment protection and promotion between the two nations.

Leaders of the three countries accepted PM Phúc’s invitation to visit Việt Nam.

In the evening the same day, PM Phúc attended a royal banquet hosted by the Japanese Emperor and Empress. — VNS