Full text of the Joint Statement between Vietnam and Bulgaria

During the State visit to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam by President of the Republic of Bulgaria Rosen Plevneliev, the two sides issued a Joint Statement.

During the State visit to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam by President of the Republic of Bulgaria Rosen Plevneliev, the two sides issued a Joint Statement.

1. On the basis of the traditional good friendship with a history of more than half a century between the two countries and on the occasion of the State visit to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam by President of the Republic of Bulgaria Rosen Plevneliev from October 27 to 31, 2013, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Republic of Bulgaria agreed to develop the relations between the two countries towards a strategic partnership in the future. In order to meet the expectations and practical interests of both countries, the two sides agreed to make joint efforts to build a “New Model of Economic Cooperation” as a means to achieve the goal of strategic partnership.

2. The two sides affirmed to continue to strengthen the exchange of high-level delegations to demonstrate political determination and at the same time create important momentum to promote bilateral cooperation in many fields between the two countries in accordance with the new situation. The two sides will encourage the continued exchange of delegations at all levels in areas of mutual interest.

3. The two sides emphasized the importance of inter-parliamentary cooperation and supported the continued strengthening of contacts and cooperation through the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding signed on April 16, 2012 between the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria. The Vietnam-Bulgaria Friendship Parliamentary Group of the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Bulgaria-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Group of the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria will continue to play a role in promoting bilateral relations between the two National Assemblies.

4. The two sides agreed to organize regular political consultations between the two Foreign Ministries to discuss bilateral issues and positions on international and regional issues of mutual concern.

5. Vietnam and Bulgaria agreed to strengthen and diversify economic and trade cooperation in areas where the two countries have comparative advantages and untapped potential. The two sides emphasized the importance of the Vietnam-Bulgaria Intergovernmental Committee on economic, trade and scientific and technological cooperation, considering it an important mechanism to promote economic-trade, scientific-technical, educational-training relations and other fields.

The two sides agreed to create favorable conditions for businesses and investors of the two countries to connect with partners and explore investment markets in areas such as infrastructure construction; urban planning and development and public transport systems; efficient use of energy; environmental protection; food processing, etc.

6. Vietnam and Bulgaria affirmed to cooperate in the financial sector to effectively deal with current economic and financial challenges, including exchanging experiences in effective public financial management, internal financial supervision and debt management.

7. The two sides wish to promote cooperation in the fields of agriculture, livestock and fisheries through the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food of Bulgaria.

8. The two sides support further strengthening bilateral cooperation in the energy sector, including nuclear energy, renewable energy, other alternative energy sources as well as relevant technologies.

9. The two sides affirmed to strengthen cooperation in the field of defense through active defense strategic dialogue at all levels; expand cooperation in the field of training and education; share experiences in preparing forces to participate in United Nations peacekeeping operations, deal with crises, respond to natural disasters and emergencies in peacetime; promote bilateral military technical cooperation; enhance activities in the fields of military medicine, recreation, cultural and sports exchanges.

10. The two sides agreed to promote cooperation in the field of security through signing an agreement on cooperation in crime prevention; exchanging experiences and specific skills; training Vietnamese officers in Bulgaria within the capabilities of both countries...

11. The two sides reaffirmed their desire to share experiences in protecting and exchanging classified information on the basis of the Agreement between the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria on mutual exchange and protection of classified information signed on April 16, 2012.

12. The two sides affirmed to continue promoting effective cooperation in the field of education and training, a traditional field of cooperation, through the implementation of the Education and Training Cooperation Program between the Ministry of Education and Training of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Ministry of Education, Youth and Science of the Republic of Bulgaria for the period 2012-2016 (signed in April 2012); agreed to encourage universities and training institutions of the two countries to have direct cooperation with each other.

13. The two sides supported the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between the University of Social Sciences and Humanities of the Vietnam National University, Hanoi and the Sofia University “St Kliment Ohridski,” including the promotion of cultural education through the establishment of the department of “cultural, social and Vietnamese language studies” at the Sofia University and the department of “Bulgarian language studies” at the Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

14. The two sides agreed to promote cooperation in the cultural field through specific programs and activities such as exchanging cultural and artistic delegations; organizing film weeks and exhibitions to introduce the culture and people of each country; and cooperating in preserving cultural heritages. The Bulgarian side pledged to support and help Vietnam restore and renovate historical relics as well as train experts in the fields of heritage conservation and archaeology.

15. With the desire to enhance tourism cooperation on the basis of the Tourism Agreement signed between the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria in November 2006, the two sides agreed to encourage direct contact between tourism agencies and businesses of the two countries to learn about the market and the ability to organize tourism types in each country. As a country with a developed tourism industry, Bulgaria affirmed that it will exchange experiences, support tourism promotion and help train and develop tourism human resources for Vietnam.

16. The Parties agree to jointly develop mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation in the field of information and communications technology through strengthening the legal framework and encouraging direct contact between businesses of the two sides.

17. The two sides affirmed their determination to strengthen effective cooperation in the field of science and technology by promoting existing cooperation as well as identifying new areas of cooperation and encouraging the commercialization of products that are the results of joint scientific research of the two sides. The two sides emphasized the importance of signing the Cooperation Agreement between the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology and the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences.

18. The two sides agreed that Vietnamese citizens who have studied and worked in Bulgaria and the Vietnamese community currently living in Bulgaria are important factors in strengthening the friendly relations between the two peoples, actively contributing to the development of economic and trade cooperation between the two countries. The two sides affirmed to continue to pay attention to creating favorable conditions for the Vietnamese community in Bulgaria as well as Bulgarian citizens living in Vietnam so that they can act as a bridge for the relations between the two countries.

19. The two sides emphasized the central role of the United Nations in maintaining world peace and security, promoting economic progress, social inclusion of all peoples and to deal with global threats and challenges. The two sides shared the view that all regional and international disputes should be resolved by peaceful means, in accordance with international law. The two sides will strengthen cooperation at the United Nations and other multilateral forums on international, regional and security issues as well as actively consider supporting each other's candidacy for international organizations and forums.

20. Vietnam and Bulgaria affirmed their readiness to exchange views on traditional and non-traditional security threats; combating international terrorism, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, organized crime, piracy and illegal migration; sustainable development and environmental protection; maritime security; promoting the activities of associations and non-governmental organizations; rule of law and human rights as well as other issues of mutual concern.

21. Bulgaria supports the strengthening of relations between Vietnam and the European Union on the basis of the Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation (PCA) between the European Union and its member states and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. The two sides support the early conclusion of negotiations on the Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and the EU. Vietnam highly appreciates Bulgaria's ratification of the PCA.

22. Bulgaria supports ASEAN's central role in maintaining stability and peace in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as ASEAN's efforts towards the goal of building the ASEAN Community by 2015. Vietnam is ready to support Bulgaria in strengthening relations with ASEAN and its member countries.

23. The two sides agreed to effectively cooperate on sub-regional development projects, including the Mekong and Danube regions.

Hanoi, October 28, 2013./.

According to VNA