DPM receives Canadian Defense Minister

Deputy PM, FM Pham Binh Minh receives Canadian Defense Minister Harjit Singh Sahan, Ha Noi, June 4, 2018 - Photo: VGP/Hai Minh

The statement was made by Deputy PM, FM Pham Binh Minh at his reception for Canadian Defense Minister Harjit Singh Sahan who is paying an official visit to Viet Nam from June 4-6. 

Viet Nam attaches importance to and expects to enhance the cooperative and friendship relations with Canada more effectively and sustainably, especially in the context that the two nations have further shared bilateral, regional and international benefits, asserted Mr. Minh. 

He suggested Canada promote support for Viet Nam in fields of training and peace-keeping activities, agreeing to expand and boost cooperation in such areas as overcoming consequences after the war, defense industry and enhancement of maritime security capacity. 

The two leaders hailed active and comprehensive developments in the two nations’ relationship, especially Canadian PM J. Trudeau’s official visit to Viet Nam where he attended APEC High-Level Week in November 2017 and the establishment of Viet Nam-Canada Strategic Partnership. 

Regarding PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s upcoming visit to Canada to join the expanded Group of Seven (G7) Summit and visit Canada from June 8-10, Deputy PM Minh affirmed that Viet Nam advocates and hopes to make contributions to the success of the meeting and the talks between the two PMs. 

The host consented that the two countries’ cooperation in the regional and international aspects will be accelerated for the regional and international peace, stability, cooperation and development, continuing to coordinate at multi-lateral forums including the UN, APEC, cooperation with ASEAN and within the CPTPP. 

Mr. Harjit Singh Sahan expressed delights on the strong development of Viet Nam after 30 years of renovation, appraising the nation’s diplomatic policies and its increasing status in the world. 

He confirmed that Viet Nam is a crucial partner of Canada in the region, expecting to establish friendship and long-term cooperation with Viet Nam, including defense cooperation, adding that Canada will continue advocating Viet Nam in training and improving capacity in joining UN peace-keeping activities. 

The two sides shared the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the region. 

They asserted the viewpoints of supporting the settlement of disputes in the East Sea with peaceful measures, preventing to use forces and threats to use forces, respecting diplomatic and legal procedures based on the international laws including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982, Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and the future Code of Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (COC). 

By Thuy Dung