Strengthening connectivity between the two economies, promoting the Vietnam-Brunei Comprehensive Partnership

Brunei reserved a special reception ceremony when all members of the royal family welcomed and attended the reception for Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his wife and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh meets with King Hassanal Bolkiah. Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah warmly welcomed and highly appreciated the significance of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's first official visit to Brunei Darussalam, which helped create new momentum to promote increasingly deep and extensive cooperation between the two countries in all fields.

Members of the Brunei Royal Family welcome Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his wife. Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

The Sultan of Brunei expressed his satisfaction with the two countries upgrading their relations to Comprehensive Partnership during his visit to Vietnam in 2019; at the same time, he respectfully conveyed his regards to the senior leaders of Vietnam. The Sultan also congratulated Vietnam on controlling the COVID-19 pandemic, quickly recovering with the highest GDP growth rate in the region; affirmed that Brunei always attaches importance to and wishes to continuously develop cooperative relations with Vietnam, especially in the fields of economics, trade, investment, education and agriculture.

Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah warmly welcomed and highly appreciated the significance of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's first official visit to Brunei Darussalam. Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh thanked the Sultan and Royal Family of Brunei for their warm welcome; respectfully conveyed the warm regards of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, Chairman of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue and senior leaders of Vietnam to the Sultan and Royal Family. The Prime Minister also expressed his pleasure in visiting the country that has been associated with an important milestone in Vietnam's international integration, when in the capital Bandar Seri Begawan in July 1995, Vietnam became the 7th member of ASEAN; affirmed Vietnam's consistent policy of always attaching importance to promoting the Comprehensive Partnership with Brunei.

The Prime Minister congratulated Brunei on its achievements in economic development and social security, and believed that Brunei will soon successfully implement the Brunei Vision 2035 (Wawasan Brunei 2035). Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

The Prime Minister congratulated Brunei on its achievements in economic development and social security, and believed that Brunei will soon successfully implement the Brunei Vision 2035 (Wawasan Brunei 2035), becoming a country with a dynamic and sustainable economic development.

The Sultan of Brunei expressed his satisfaction with the two countries upgrading their relations to Comprehensive Partnership during the Sultan's visit to Vietnam in 2019. Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

The two leaders highly appreciated the effective development of the Vietnam-Brunei Darussalam Comprehensive Partnership in all fields, from politics, security, defense, to economics, trade, investment, maritime cooperation, energy, education, training... In particular, trade cooperation has made great strides; two-way turnover in 2022 reached 725.8 million USD, an increase of 134% compared to 2021.

The two leaders highly agreed on directions to enhance Vietnam-Brunei cooperation in various fields in the coming time. Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

The two leaders highly agreed on directions to enhance Vietnam-Brunei cooperation in various fields in the coming time. Accordingly, the two sides will continue to promote exchanges and contacts at high and all levels; effectively deploy the cooperation mechanism of the Bilateral Cooperation Committee at the Foreign Minister level; effectively implement important cooperation agreements, especially the Action Program to implement the Vietnam-Brunei Darussalam Comprehensive Partnership for the period 2023-2027, which was just signed on this occasion. The two sides agreed to promote trade growth in a more diversified and balanced direction; consider the possibility of joint ventures in exploitation, aquaculture and seafood processing as well as seek opportunities in new areas of cooperation such as digital economy, circular economy and climate change response.

The signing ceremony and exchange of the Action Program to implement the Comprehensive Partnership 2023-2027 and the Diplomatic Note on Visa Exemption for Diplomatic and Official Passport Holders between Vietnam and Brunei Darussalam. Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh asked Brunei Darussalam to facilitate Vietnamese goods to access the Brunei Darussalam market, especially rice and Halal-certified agricultural and aquatic products; welcomed and will continue to facilitate Brunei Darussalam enterprises to expand their investment and business in Vietnam. The Prime Minister asked the two sides to strengthen cooperation connecting the two economies to support the building of an independent, self-reliant economy, associated with deep, substantial and effective international integration.

The two leaders also agreed to strengthen cooperation in other important areas such as defense, security and maritime cooperation, including effectively maintaining the hotline to support fisheries activities and sharing information on law enforcement at sea; at the same time, promoting cooperation in education and training, tourism, enhancing connectivity, and increasing the frequency of direct commercial flights.

King Hassanal Bolkiah drove Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his wife to visit the Royal Palace and attend the reception. Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

Discussing regional and international issues, the Prime Minister highly appreciated Brunei Darussalam's term as ASEAN Chair in 2021 as well as the close coordination between the two countries when Vietnam is ASEAN Chair in 2020. The two leaders agreed to continue to strengthen consultation and close coordination between the two countries at regional and international forums; maintain solidarity and promote ASEAN's central role.

The two leaders reaffirmed the importance of peace, stability, safety, security and freedom of navigation in the East Sea; and worked together to maintain ASEAN's solidarity and common stance on the East Sea issue, striving for progress in negotiations on the Code of Conduct (COC).

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and King Hassanal Bolkiah attend the reception. Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

On this occasion, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh respectfully invited the Sultan and Queen of Brunei to visit Vietnam at a suitable time. The Sultan of Brunei happily accepted the invitation and looked forward to visiting Vietnam soon.

At the end of the talks, the two leaders witnessed the signing ceremony and exchange of the Action Program to implement the Comprehensive Partnership 2023-2027 and the Diplomatic Note on Visa Exemption Agreement for diplomatic and official passport holders between Vietnam and Brunei Darussalam./.