On the sidelines of the 10th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit in Milan, Italy, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung met leaders from Myanmar, Thailand, Mongolia, Bulgaria and Norway on October 17 to seek ways for closer bilateral ties.

The PM told Myanmar President U Thein Sein that both countries should actively realise their past commitments, especially 12 priority fields defined in the Myanmar – Vietnam joint statement signed last April. He also sought Myanmar’s further support to Vietnamese investors working in the country.

They agreed to convene the eighth meeting of the Vietnam – Myanmar Joint Committee and sign an agreement on investment promotion and protection at an early date.

Both leaders vowed to work closely together at global and regional forums, especially ASEAN, the United Nations, the Ayeyawady – Chaophraya - Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy, the Greater Mekong Sub-region, and the East-West Economic Corridor.

Myanmar is due to join the Mekong River Commission in the near future, Thein Sein said.

Vietnam and Myanmar will also further the central role of ASEAN in the evolving regional architecture while fully complying with the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea and stepping up talks to finalise terms of the Code of Conduct in the East Sea.

In their dialogue, the Vietnamese PM and his Thai counterpart Prayuth Chan-ocha discussed in-depth ways to accelerate cooperation built on a series of mechanisms, including the joint cabinet meeting, the Vietnam – Thailand Joint Committee, and the political consultation.

They targeted US$15 billion in two-way trade by 2020 and promised to sign labour and sport deals, and a new agreement on science-technology.

Prayuth asked for more incentives to Vietnamese and Thai investor communities, and confirmed Thailand’s active involvement, together with Vietnam and other ASEAN member states, in creating a full-fledged regional Community by late 2015.

In a meeting with Mongolian President Tsakhia Elbegdorj, PM Dung assured him that Vietnam will help Mongolia successfully assume its role of hosting the 11th ASEM Summit in 2016.

Later, the Vietnamese Government leader and Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev shared their ideas about how to enhance joint work across economics, trade, science-technology and education-training.

Norwegian PM Erna Solberg also concurred with the Vietnamese leader that both countries should tap energy and fishing industries and work in close liaison at multilateral forums.

VNA/VNN