VN, Belarus to elevate bilateral ties to new height

Deputy PM Vuong Dinh Hue (R) shakes hands with his Belarusian counterpart I. Lyashenko, Ha Noi, September 26, 2019 - Photo: VGP/Thanh Chung

At the invitation of Deputy PM Vuong Dinh Hue, the Belarusian Deputy PM paid an official visit to Viet Nam from September 24-26. 

The two leaders held talks to exchange views on the bilateral ties, international and regional issues of common concern.

Deputy PM Hue asserted that Viet Nam always respects for and attaches importance to consolidating and developing the traditional friendship and multi-faceted cooperation with Belarus.

In reply, Deputy PM I. Lyashenko stressed that Belarus considers Viet Nam one of its top diplomatic priorities in Southeast Asia and Asia at large. The guest leader wished that Viet Nam would successfully take over the non-permanent UN Security Council member seat for the 2020-2021 term and the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2020. 

The two Deputy PMs expressed their satisfaction at the positive development in the bilateral ties in various fields, underlining the determination to cement and develop the traditional ties and multifaceted cooperation. 

They agreed to concrete measures to advance economic, trade and investment cooperation between Vietnam and Belarus, making it match potential of each side.

The two sides reached consensus to join hands to effectively implement the free trade agreement between Viet Nam and the Eurasian Economic Union, and the Viet Nam-Belarus protocol on supporting the production of motor vehicles in Viet Nam. They also targeted to create breakthroughs in the bilateral economic and trade ties and raised the two-way trade turnover to US$ 500 million in the years to come.

They welcomed the inauguration of the first Viet Nam-Belarus joint auto venture, scheduled on September 26 in Viet Nam’s northern province of Hung Yen.

The two sides agreed to continue their close coordination in realizing the Viet Nam-Belarus program on cooperation in science, education, culture, defense and security ties, as well as local coordination. 

The two leaders praised efforts made by the two sides to facilitate the exit and entry of their citizens, and promote tourism cooperation.

The two leaders affirmed their resolve to consolidate and develop the relationship and soon elevate it to a new high.

They also agreed to maintain exchanges of delegations at all level to consolidate the political trust and step up cooperation via the channels of the States, National Assemblies, ministries, agencies and localities.

They will also intensify coordination at multilateral forums like the United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement, contributing to protecting interests of each nation, for global peace, stability and prosperity.

Regarding international and regional issues of shared concern, Deputy PM Lyashenko voiced his support for Viet Nam’s stance on settling territorial disputes, including those in the East Sea, by peaceful measures, not using force or threatening to use force, with the engagement of all concerned parties.  

After talks, the two leaders witnessed the signing of a program on cultural cooperation between the Vietnamese Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Belarusian Ministry of Culture for the 2020-2022 period./. 

By Kim Anh