VN, Liberia sign first ever agreement since establishment of diplomatic ties

Deputy PM, FM Pham Binh Minh shakes hands with Liberia's FM Marjon Vashti Kamara at the Government Guest House in Ha Noi on December 8, 2017. Photo: VGP/Hai Minh

During their talks, Deputy PM, FM Minh affirmed Viet Nam always attaches importance to consolidating and advancing friendly relations with Liberia, a potential partner in West Africa.

Meanwhile, FM Marjon Vashti Kamara extended congratulations on Viet Nam’s achievements in the cause of national reforms and development.

The two sides agreed on specific measures to boost the bilateral ties and raise the two-way trade value to over US$100 million from the current US$35.3 million in the time to come.

They exchanged ways to step up cooperation in such fields like agriculture, oil and gas, telecommunication, national defense and security among others.

The two sides also agreed to soon sign a framework agreement for bilateral cooperation, a trade deal, and an investment encouragement and protection to create legal corridor for their cooperative ties.

Deputy PM, FM Minh asked the Liberian side to support Viet Nam to win a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council in the tenure 2020-2021 and recognize Viet Nam’s market economy status.

He informed the guest about the outcomes of the 2017 APEC Economic Leaders’ Week, about ASEAN and the East Sea situation.

Deputy PM Minh asked Liberia to back Viet Nam’s consistent position of settling disputes, including disputes on the East Sea through peaceful means, including full respect for diplomatic and legal processes, resolutely protesting against the use or threat to use forces, fully and seriously implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and working towards early conclusion of a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC)./.

By Hai Minh