FM holds phone talks with diplomats of Morocco, India and Singapore

During the talks, Bourita congratulated the new Foreign Minister of Vietnam and expressed his impression on the nation's achievements in the fight against COVID-19 as well as socio-economic development. 

He hailed Vietnam’s role as Chair of ASEAN in 2020 and a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2020 to 2021 term.

Bourita expressed his confidence that under Son’s leadership, the Vietnam Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to reap more achievements in external relations. 

In response, Son showed his elation at steps of development in the Vietnam-Morocco ties over the past six decades, while affirming that Vietnam treasures friendship and all-around cooperation with Morocco.

To ramp up the bilateral relations on a par with each other’s potential and demand, the two ministers discussed a score of measures to step up cooperation, especially in the areas of trade, investment, banking, culture, tourism, and education-training, among others. 

They compared notes on several regional and international issues of shared concern. The pair consented to boost collaboration to further tap on the role of cooperative mechanisms co-chaired by the two countries’ foreign ministries such as joint committees, thereby deepening the relations between Vietnam and Morroco. 

The Moroccan Minister pledged to support Vietnam in setting up a partnership with the African Union, and affirmed his nation’s readiness to act as a gateway for Vietnam to access and develop its market with African and Arabian nations.

He told Son that Vietnam is also regarded as a gateway for Morocco to expand cooperation with ASEAN and Asia.

The same day, Son also had a phone conversation his Indian counterpart Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, during which both sides agreed to boost closer coordination in order to effectively promote the action programme aimed at realizing the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries for 2021-2023.

Jaishankar congratulated Son on his appointment as Vietnam’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, and applauded achievements the country has recorded over the past time, especially in external affairs, notably its ASEAN Chairmanship 2020.

The ministers rejoiced at the steps of development of the Vietnam-India comprehensive strategic partnership, and consented to maintain the existing cooperation mechanisms.

Vietnam and India will work hand in hand to enhance collaboration in national defence and security, and elevate the two-way trade to US$15 billion moving forward, they said.

Minister Son expressed his appreciation for India’s support for Vietnam’s sustainable development goals through quick impact projects (QIPs).

Vietnam supports India’s “Act East Policy”, he said, suggesting both nations bolster  cooperation and offer mutual support at multilateral forums, especially in 2021 when both countries serves as non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

Son welcomed India’s consistent stance on the East Sea and was appreciative of India's role at regional and international forums, particularly the within the framework of the ASEAN-India partnership and the UN.

During talks with Singaporean counterpart Vivian Balakrishnan, the two sides agreed to promote closer coordination as a contribution to stepping up trade and investment ties between the two countries.

Vivian Balakrishnan congratulated Son on his appointment as Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam, and lauded the country’s performance in COVID-19 prevention and control, as well as socio-economic development and diplomacy.

He affirmed his nation's recognition of great importance to the strategic partnership with Vietnam.
Son, for his part, glowingly spoke of cooperation efficiency between the two countries across  multiple fields, emphasizing that Singapore was Vietnam’s largest investor last year despite the coronavirus pandemic.

He suggested both sides go ahead with all-level delegation exchanges when possible, effectively carry out bilateral cooperation mechanisms, firstly the 15th Vietnam-Singapore Connectivity Ministerial Meeting and the 14th political consultation at the deputy foreign ministerial level.

Son thanked Singapore for supporting Vietnam’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2020, and non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council (UNSC) for 2020-2021.

The two ministers concurred to  push up cooperation within the framework of ASEAN and multilateral forums, for peace, stability and cooperation in the region.

They exchanged invitations to visit their respective nations at a convenient time in the near future.