Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung was speaking at a reception given to the outgoing Canadian Ambassador to Vietnam, Deanna Horton, in Hanoi on August 18.

PM Dung spoke highly of the diplomat’s contributions to promoting mutual understanding, friendship and cooperation between the two nations, especially in humanitarian assistance, cultural development, education and international cooperation.

The government leader requested Canada continue to hold negotiations with concerned ministries and agencies of Vietnam to soon sign a bilateral trade and investment protection agreement and speed up the implementation of projects in Vietnam.

He applauded Canada’s rotating co-chairmanship of G-20 and thanked Canada for its invitation to Vietnam to attend the G-20 Summit in its capacity as Chair of ASEAN last June.

PM Dung said he hopes that in whatever positions, Horton would continue to support and contribute to the development of friendly and cooperative ties between the two nations.

Horton said Canada will further step up cooperation projects in Vietnam, particularly in the fields of education and training.

The ambassador told her host that Canada has funded many projects, bringing practical benefits to Vietnam in environmental protection, epidemic prevention and vocational training.

Canadian investors want to pour more funds into Vietnam, she said, adding that the Canadian Government has already asked its companies to perform in a socially responsible manner while doing business in Vietnam.