Vietnam, Belarus boost traditional relationship

• Belarus, Vietnam foster economic, trade ties

The agreement was reached by Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and his Belarusian counterpart Mikhail Myasnikovich during their talks in Hanoi on November 29.

Both PMs expressed their satisfaction with recent developments in the multifaceted Vietnam-Belarus relationship, especially in economics, trade, and investment. Two-way trade between the two countries reached US$100 million in 2010 and increased to US$177 million in the first ten months of 2011.

The leaders agreed to join efforts to balance two-way trade and increase the turnover to US$1 billion in the next five years.

Regarding political and diplomatic ties, they reaffirmed that both countries will promote exchanges of delegations at all levels to boost mutual understanding and trust, thereby providing fresh impetus to increasing cooperation in all fields.

Vietnam and Belarus should also coordinate closely at regional and international forums, including the United Nations, they said.

They proposed completing a pre-feasibility study and launching negotiations for a free trade agreement between Vietnam and the Customs Union, which includes Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan.

PM Dung urged both countries to boost investment and enhance industrial cooperation as well as oil and gas exploration and exploitation, electronics production, customs and labour policies, human resources training, tourism, security, and national defence.

Vietnam and Belarus should both create favourable conditions for their products to penetrate each other’s markets, he said.

The Vietnamese PM thanked the Belarusian people for their assistance during Vietnam’s past struggle for national independence and said he hopes the Belarusian authorities will help the Vietnamese community in the country integrate well in their new society.

Mr Dung also confirmed Vietnam’s willingness to help Belarus expand its cooperation with other Southeastern Asian nations.

PM Myasnikovich reaffirmed the Belarus’ foreign policy of strengthening ties with Vietnam.

Belarus has always considered Vietnam a reliable partner, said Mr Myasnikovich, adding that in addition to economic, trade, and investment cooperation, Belarus is willing to cooperate with Vietnam in agriculture, diesel engine and automobile manufacturing, and human resources training for machinery manufacturing.

He asked Vietnam to continue promoting the export of its seafood, tea, and coffee to Belarus in order to meet the increasing demand.

Mr Myasnikovich also proposed that both countries work together to build pharmaceutical factories.

He also thanked Vietnam for its support for Belarus at regional and international forums.

PM Myasnikovich took the opportunity to invite his Vietnamese counterpart to visit Belarus, which PM Dung accepted with pleasure. The visit will be arranged through diplomatic channels.

After the talks, both PMs signed a joint statement on the visit and witnessed the signing of numerous agreements and memoranda of understanding between Vietnamese and Belarusian ministries and agencies, including one on education and training cooperation and another on judicial assessment.

Also on November 29, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong hosted a reception for Prime Minister Mikhail Myasnikovich, who said Belarus attaches importance to developing the traditional friendship with Vietnam.

Belarus will spare no effort to further enhance the multifaceted relations with Vietnam, especially in economics, trade, culture, science and technology and soon raise two-way trade to US$1 billion. 

The Belarusian PM pledged to create favourable conditions for Vietnamese businesses and citizens living and working in the country. 

For his part, General Secretary Trong said Vietnam is determined to consolidate and further develop relations with Belarus.

The same day, President of the Vietnam Women’s Union (VWU) Nguyen Thi Thanh Hoa received the wife of the Belarusian PM Lady Ludmila Myasnikovich in Hanoi, who made suggestions for cooperation between the VWU and the Belarus Women’s Association in vocational training and the exchange of experts. 

Ludmila Myasnikovich also visited the Vietnam Women’s Museum in Hanoi.