State President receives out-going Canadian, Belgian Ambassadors

State President Tran Dai Quang hosts receptions for Canadian Ambassador to Viet Nam Ping Kitnikone, Ha Noi, July 26, 2018 - Photo: VNA

At the meeting with the Canadian Ambassador, the State leader affirmed that Viet Nam attaches importance to and expects to strengthen the Comprehensive Partnership with Canada more effectively and practically. 

He highlighted that Viet Nam and Canada are joining hands in organizing activities to mark the 45th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations this year.

Along with the solidification of ties in traditional fields such as the exchange of all-level delegations, economy-trade-investment, development cooperation, education-training, and people-to-people exchange, the two countries should enhance collaboration in areas with great potential like defense-security, science-technology, climate change response, sustainable development, and infrastructure development, he suggested. 

Ambassador Ping Kitnikone stressed that the establishment of the Viet Nam-Canada comprehensive partnership has created a foundation for the two nations to expand their relations in all fields, from politics and defense-security to education-training, science-technology, and people-to-people exchange as well as offered an opportunity for the strengthening of cooperation at multilateral forums and organizations. 

Canada supports Viet Nam's bid to become a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2020-2021 tenure, expecting that the country will well perform this role, said the ambassador.

According to Ping Kitnikone, trade, investment and education are dynamic development cooperation areas between Viet Nam and Canada in recent years. Viet Nam has become the largest trade partner of Canada in ASEAN.

Mr. Quang hailed the Canadian PM Trudeau’s policy of increasing connectivity with the world, particularly the Asia-Pacific and attaching importance to relations with Viet Nam and ASEAN, expressing thanks to the Canadian Government for backing Viet Nam in addressing international issues. 

State President Tran Dai Quang hosts receptions for Belgian Ambassador to Viet Nam Jehanne Roccas, Ha Noi, July 26, 2018 - Photo: VNA

While receiving the Belgian Ambassador, State President Tran Dai Quang spoke highly of Ms. Roccas’ contributions to promoting the Viet Nam-Belgium cooperation and mutual understanding, particularly in events celebrating the 45th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic relations earlier this year.

Viet Nam attaches importance to strengthening its cooperative relationship with Belgium, said State President Quang, suggesting Belgium accelerate the signing of the EU-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) which is scheduled to take place in Brussels this October. 

He proposed both sides soon conclude a new framework for expanded cooperation in agriculture in an effort to ensure food security and adaption to climate change.

He also lauded the effective coordination between Viet Nam and Belgium at international and multilateral forums, expecting that Belgium will successfully host the 12th ASEM Summit in October this year.

Ambassador Roccas asserted that Belgium will continue supporting Viet Nam in the coming time through its organizations and Belgium will coordinate with some other European nations to set up a university in Viet Nam. 

Belgium attaches importance to the relations with Viet Nam, she said, adding that Belgium will back Viet Nam in strengthening relations with the EU and the early signing of the EVFTA.

The European nation also supports Viet Nam’s candidacy for a non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council and is willing to share with Viet Nam experience in UN peacekeeping operations, she affirmed. 

 By Hoang Ha