Gov’t chief meets with foreign leaders on ASEAN Summit’s sidelines

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc (center) and his counterparts Thongloun Sisoulith of Laos (left) and Samdech Hun Sen of Cambodia (right) at their working session, Bangkok, November 3, 2019 – Photo: VGP/Quang HIeu

At the working session with Lao PM Thongloun Sisoulith and Cambodian PM Samdech Hun Sen, PM Phuc highly valued the development of the traditional neighborliness, friendship, comprehensive cooperation and close relations among the three countries in the recent past. 

The Vietnamese PM proposed the three countries to boost strategies and programs on cooperation and connectivity among them, in the Mekong sub-region with other partners. 

He also hoped that the three countries would support each other to maintain peace, stability, independence and self-reliance and develop economy.

The three PMs took the occasion to discuss priorities in terms of connectivity, sustainable development, trade and investment promotion, and improvement of people’s living standards in the Cambodia-Laos-Viet Nam Development Triangle Area.

The same day, the Vietnamese PM received IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva. PM Phuc appreciated the support that Georgieva, the IMF, and the World Bank, have given to Viet Nam. 

PM Phuc called upon the IMF to continue assisting the country to build development strategies, manage the macro-economy and modernize the governance of economy.

In reply, the IMF Managing Director underlined that the IMF regards Viet Nam an example of strong growth associated with sustainable development, poverty reduction, income raising and improvement of people’s living standards. 

The IMF hopes that Viet Nam would push on with restructuring, reforming growth model, removing barriers, paying attention to quality-based growth, and dealing with climate change-related matters. The IMF pledges to cooperate effectively with Viet Nam and ASEAN in 2020, when Viet Nam will hold the ASEAN chairmanship, Ms. Kristalina Georgieva said. 

At the meeting with Prince Andrew Albert Christian Edward, Duke of York, PM Phuc highly valued and hoped for the prince’s further contributions to and support of the enhancement of the Viet Nam-UK strategic partnership, and Viet Nam’s development in different fields, including start-up promotion, technology application in business and production, environmental protection, and socio-economic development in localities.

Prince Andrew promise to contribute to the two countries’ relations through concrete and practical actions, especially during Viet Nam’s chairmanship of ASEAN next year.

Also on November 3, PM Phuc and his spouse attended the official banquet hosted by Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha and his spouse in honor of heads of delegations to the 35th ASEAN Summit and related summits./.

By Kim Anh