VN, Belarus issue joint statement

In a joint communiqué issued by Prime Minister Nguyễn Tấn Dũng and Belarusian Prime Minister Mikhail Myasnikovich during the latter’s visit to Việt Nam, the two sides agreed to improve the effectiveness of cooperation in trade, sci-tech, and other sectors and continue to coordinate together at international forums.

During the talks, Prime Minister Dũng expressed his pleasure at important results Belarus has achieved in the cause of socio-economic development and in maintaining political stability and consolidating its international position.

Prime Minister Mikhail Myasnikovich spoke highly of Việt Nam’s achievements in its renewal process and its efforts to improve the country’s position and prestige in the international arena.

The two sides positively valued the results of meetings and delegation exchanges at all levels, including high-ranking ones between Việt Nam-Belarus.

The implementation of agreements reached during visits by the two countries’ leaders in 2008 and 2010 created a new driving force for bilateral cooperation, they said.

The two sides also reached agreement on the organization of regular meetings of the Viêt Nam-Belarus Inter-Governmental Cooperation Committees on economics, trade, science and technology and military technology in 2012.

The two Prime Ministers welcomed proposals made by the two countries’ State agencies and businesses to boost trade ties, including the completion of payment mechanisms and conditions for supply of goods, the provision of services and equipment maintenance, and consensus on joint action plans in third country markets.

To ensure financial sources for joint projects and trade activities between the two countries, the two sides planned to enhance banking sector cooperation.

The two Government leaders spoke highly of their countries’ cooperation in education and support for expansion of that cooperation.

The two Prime Ministers supported greater cooperation between localities of the two countries, including the capital cities of Hà Nội and Minsk, as well as Hồ Chí Minh City and Minsk.

To facilitate cooperative development between the two peoples, the two sides will consider the simplification of migration procedures for citizens of both nations.

Việt Nam highly appreciated the efforts of Belarus to create favorable conditions for the Vietnamese community in Belarus, consolidating the traditional friendship between the two countries.

Việt Nam also welcomed Belarus’s intention to send an Honorary Consul to Hồ Chí Minh City in future.

The two leaders recognized the similarities in their perceptions towards international and regional issues, affirming that the two countries are willing to work more closely within the framework of the UN and other international organizations of which they are the members, in accordance with common viewpoints clarified in the joint statement signed between the two countries’ leaders in May, 2010 in Minsk.

\Việt Nam highly valued the position and role of Belarus in the connection processes within the Belarus-Kazakhstan-Russia Customs Union and the Commonwealth of Independent States.

The two sides affirmed their determination to soon hold negotiations on setting up a free trade area between Viêt jNam and the Belarus-Kazakhstan-Russia Customs Union.

Belarus also highly appreciated Việt Nam’s contributions to ensuring peace, stability and development in Southeast Asia, as well as its good performance as ASEAN Chair in 2010, while Việt Nam affirmed that it is ready to help Belarus to develop cooperative ties with ASEAN countries.

During his visit to Việt Nam from November 29 to December 1, Prime Minister Mikhail Myasnikovich met with Party General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng and State President Trương Tấn Sang.

He also delivered a speech at the Việt Nam-Belarus Business Forum, visited the Belarus booth at Việt Nam Expo 2011 in Hồ Chí Minh City and toured some Vietnamese landscapes./.