Vietnam attaches importance to relations with Canada, says PM

He spoke highly of the positive development of the comprehensive partnership between the two countries in recent times, noting their two-way trade rose 25.5% to US$3.57 billion in the first six months this year.  

As of November 2021, Canada was Vietnam’s 14th largest foreign investor with 231 valid projects valued at more than US$4.81 billion USD. The two sides also strengthened cooperation in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change.

The PM also thanked the Government of Canada for providing an official development aid of up to US$1.3 billion to Vietnam from 1990 to present.

With the COVID-19 pandemic brought under control, the PM asked the Canadian Ambassador to promote visit exchanges at all levels and through all channels so as to beef up bilateral cooperation, especially in the fields of economy-trade-investment, development assistance, post-pandemic recovery, climate change response, environmental protection, clean and green growth, and human resource training.

As the two economies are highly complementary and they are both members of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), Vietnam and Canada need to cooperate more closely to raise two-way trade to new heights, he stressed.

He requested that Canada continue to support and create conditions for Vietnamese goods, especially agricultural products, seafood, seasonal fruits, cashew nuts, coffee, bee honey, and furniture to enter its market.

The PM also requested that the Government of Canada further support about 240,000 Vietnamese expatriates living in Canada to make more contributions to the development of their host country and serve as an important bridge between the two countries.

For his part, Ambassador Shawn Perry Steil affirmed that Canada considers Vietnam one of its important partners in the region. He singled out Vietnam for its success in COVID-19 control and economic recovery, saying Vietnam can be an exemplary role model for other countries to follow suit in this regard.

There are many investors from countries in the world, including Canada, who want to come to Vietnam for production and business, he revealed.

The Ambassador acknowledged the PM’s proposals and affirmed he would work closely with relevant Vietnamese ministries and agencies to foster the comprehensive partnership between the two countries in the coming time, especially when Canada and Vietnam will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2023.

Exchanging views on the East Sea issue, both host and guest emphasized the importance of settling disputes by peaceful means in line with international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982).