VietNamNet Bridge – Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung on April 25 held bilateral meetings with a number of ASEAN leaders on the sidelines of the 22nd ASEAN Summit in Brunei.

 

 

At the April 25 meeting with Thai PM Yingluck Shinawatra, the two leaders expressed delight at the development of bilateral relations in various fields ranging from politics, security, and national defence, to economics, trade, investment, and culture.

They both acknowledged the success of the Second Thailand-Vietnam Joint Cabinet Retreat on October 27, 2012.

Two-way trade turnover between the two countries hit US$9.67 billion in 2012. Thailand has invested in 300 Vietnam-based projects with a total capitalisation of US$6.12 billion.

The two PMs agreed to authorise relevant ministries and agencies to complete plans for an official strategic Vietnam-Thailand partnership before submitting them for leader approval.

They also agreed to devote more efforts to building the ASEAN community by 2015.

Dung praised Thailand’s role in coordinating ASEAN-China relations, confirming Vietnam’s support and its willingness to cooperate in accelerating East Sea Code of Conduct (COC) negotiations between ASEAN and China.

Meeting with Singaporean PM Lee HsienLoong, Dung noted Singapore boasts nearly 1,000 Vietnam-based projects worth US$24 billion. Two-way trade value increases annually and reached US$9.6 billion in 2012.

The implementation of the Singapore-Vietnam Connectivity Framework Agreement is on track. Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Parks (VSIP) are being expanded into northern and central Vietnam.

The two countries are planning to establish a strategic partnership in the near future.

Lee and Dung agreed to jointly organise a series of activities marking the 40th anniversary of their countries’ diplomatic ties. They affirmed their intentions to continue to work closely together at regional and international forums, with a special focus on ASEAN and the United Nations.

They also stressed the importance of maintaining peace, stability, maritime security, and safety in the East Sea. Both sides are adamant any disputes must be settled peacefully in accordance with international law - particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The crucial COC negotiations were highlighted once again.

Vietnam appreciates ASEAN’s agreement on the basic composition of the COC, as well as the Declaration on the Six-Point Principles in the East Sea already signed by ASEAN foreign ministers.

At a meeting with Filipino President Benigno Akino III, the two leaders noted two-way trade turnover approached US$3 billion in 2012. Many cooperation agreements entered into effect, promoting bilateral relationship more generally.

PM Dung requested an early release of 24 Vietnamese fishermen currently detained in the Philippines, and President Akino agreed to address the issue.

Regarding East Sea, the two sides reiterated their calls for peace, stability, maritime security, and safety, as well as the importance of respecting international law.

Source: VOV