Vietnam eager to boost ties with Canada

President Tran Dai Quang made the statement at a September 5 reception for Canadian Foreign Minister Stephane Dion in Hanoi.

The State leader thanked Canada for funding Vietnam a US$15 million project in response to climate change, saying he hopes that the Canadian parliament will soon ratify the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) to promote free trade in the region.

Minister Dion in turn spoke with President Quang about Canada’s external policies and priorities for improving relations with the Asia-Pacific region, including ASEAN and Vietnam.

He told his host that his nation highly appreciates regional multilateral mechanisms and forums such as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the East Asia Summit (EAS) and the ASEAN Defence Ministerial Meeting Plus (ADMM+), noting that Canada want to become involved in such mechanisms.

The leaders voiced their support for peaceful solutions for the East Sea disputes with respect to diplomatic and legal procedures and international law to guarantee peace, stability, and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea.

The same day, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh held talks with the Canadian Foreign Minister. 

The two diplomats discussed measures to intensify delegation exchanges in the future and how to bolster cooperation in trade, economics, investment, and other sectors. 

They compared notes on regional political and security situation, covering both traditional and non-traditional challenges. 

They also discussed the peaceful settlement of disputes in the East Sea with respect for legal and diplomatic processes, as well as international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to maintain peace, stability, security, and maritime and aviation freedom.

Deputy PM and FM Pham Binh Minh reaffirmed Vietnam's recognition of high importance on the friendship and cooperation with Canada, while suggesting the two countries should foster relationship for the sake of their people, as well as for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world at large. 

Host and guest agreed to enhance collaboration at regional and international forums, including the implementation of the ASEAN-Canada action plan for the 2016-2020 period.