Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh visits Canada

At the invitation of Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh paid an official visit to Canada from September 29-30.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh. Source: VNA

The two sides expressed satisfaction with the positive developments in bilateral relations in recent times; discussed measures to further strengthen the cooperative and friendly relations between the two countries in the coming time; agreed to promote more effective cooperation in various fields, especially in areas where Canada has strengths and Vietnam has demands such as economy-trade, science-technology, education-training. The two sides also discussed the regional situation, including the East Sea issue.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh affirmed that Vietnam attaches importance to developing a comprehensive, stable and long-term partnership with Canada; suggested that the two sides increase delegation exchanges at all levels, especially high-level ones; at the same time, requested that Canada continue to create favorable conditions for the Vietnamese community in Canada to successfully integrate into the host society and make positive contributions to the friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Pham Binh Minh expressed his appreciation and support for Canada's interest in and strengthening of relations with ASEAN and the Asia-Pacific region, contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region.

Foreign Minister Baird highly appreciated Vietnam's socio-economic achievements and international integration, and Vietnam's role in the region, affirming that Canada attaches importance to developing relations with Vietnam in its overall policy towards the Asia-Pacific region; agreed that the two sides should coordinate to develop the relationship in a practical and effective manner; and maintain dialogue to enhance mutual understanding on remaining differences.

At the end of the talks, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Pham Binh Minh and Foreign Minister John Baird signed an Agreement between the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development on bilateral cooperation.

At the meeting with Minister of Development and the Francophone Community Christian Paradis, the two sides highly appreciated the progress in the bilateral relationship in recent times, including cooperation within the framework of the Francophonie organization.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Pham Binh Minh thanked and appreciated Canada's continued maintenance of Vietnam in the list of 25 priority countries receiving development aid.

Minister Paradis affirmed that Canada supports Vietnam's national economic development strategy and pledges to continue assisting Vietnam in the areas of banking system reform, supporting small and medium enterprises, vocational training, and sustainable governance.

At a meeting with International Trade Minister Ed Fast, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Pham Binh Minh asked the Canadian Government to further open its doors to Vietnamese goods, especially agricultural products, and recognize Vietnam as a market economy.

Minister Fast affirmed that Canada considers Vietnam one of Canada's strategic priorities in terms of trade, education, and development aid; expressed his desire to promote economic and trade relations to a new level of development.

At the meeting with Agriculture Minister Gery Ritz, both sides highly appreciated the agricultural cooperation between the two countries, saying that the two sides have great potential to further promote cooperation in this field. Minister Ritz pledged that Canada will assist Vietnam in biotechnology, genetic technology, and plant varieties, which are areas in which Canada has strengths.

During the meetings with the Canadian Parliamentary Leaders, the two sides discussed measures to further strengthen relations between the legislative bodies of the two countries, including further promoting exchanges and contacts between the Parliaments.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Pham Binh Minh conveyed the invitation of the Vietnamese National Assembly's leaders to the Canadian National Assembly's leaders to visit Vietnam and attend the 132nd Inter-Parliamentary Forum IPU in March 2015.

During his time in Ottawa, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Pham Binh Minh also met and talked with representatives of overseas Vietnamese and officials and staff of the Vietnamese Embassy in Canada.

According to Vietnam+