Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc met bilaterally with Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Andrej Babis, President of Bulgaria Rumen Radev, and President of Albania Ilir Meta in Tokyo on October 22 after attending the enthronement ceremony of Emperor Naruhito.
The meetings focused on measures to deepen ties between Vietnam and the countries, towards the 70th anniversary of their bilateral diplomatic ties next year.
The leaders talked ways to enhance mutual collaboration with Vietnam at regional and global forums, especially when Vietnam serves as ASEAN Chair in 2020 and a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2020 – 2021 tenure.
They also highlighted the importance of maintaining peace, stability, maritime security and safety in the East Sea, and expressed support for the settlement of disputes by peaceful means in line with international law.
PM Babis believed that once the European Union – Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the EU – Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) take effect, bilateral economic and trade ties between the Czech Republic and Vietnam will further grow.
He vowed to create favourable conditions for Vietnam’s Bamboo Airways to complete necessary procedures towards launching a direct route linking Hanoi and Prague, thus facilitating bilateral trade.
The Czech Republic is implementing consular measures to facilitate Vietnamese citizens’ travelling to the country, the PM said. He added that his country is willing to receive skilled workers and caregivers from Vietnam, and wants to step up ties with Vietnam in national defence and mining.
PM Phuc told his Czech counterpart that tens of thousands of Vietnamese people living and working in the Czech Republic serve as an important bridge to further push forwards ties between the two countries.
During the meeting with the Bulgarian President, the Vietnamese government leader called on both countries to tap potential of bilateral cooperation based on each other’s strong points, with a focus on education – training, information technology, electronics, chemicals and pharmaceuticals.
The two leaders agreed to soon hold a meeting of the Inter-Governmental Committee on economic-trade and scientific-technological cooperation in order to discuss specific steps promoting bilateral ties.
Phuc affirmed that Vietnam is ready to create favourable conditions for Bulgaria to enhance partnership with ASEAN when the country becomes the grouping’s Chair next year.
He wished that Bulgaria would soon approve the EVIPA and push for the European Parliament’s ratification of EVFTA.
PM Phuc and Albanian President Meta highlighted the need to increase the sharing of information, including holding economic and trade forums to help their firms grasp opportunities.
They promised to step up negotiations and signing of agreements on double taxation avoidance and investment protection and promotion between the two nations.
Leaders of the three countries accepted PM Phuc’s invitation to visit Vietnam at a suitable time.
On the evening the same day, PM Phuc attended a royal banquet hosted by the Japanese Emperor and Empress.
