Vietnamese and Belarusian PMs agree to promote agricultural cooperation
VOV.VN - Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his Belarusian counterpart Roman Golovchenko have pledged greater efforts to increase turnover and create conditions for both nations' goods to access each other's markets, including items such as agricultural, seafood and dairy products, agricultural fertilizers, and tractors.
During their talks following a welcome ceremony held on December 8 in Hanoi for the Belarusian PM, the Vietnamese Government leader expressed his confidence that the first visit to Vietnam by the Belarusian Government chief over the past 12 years will add fresh impetus to the development of bilateral ties across a variety of fields.
He affirmed that the Government and People of Vietnam always value the traditional friendship between Vietnam and Belarus that has been diligently nurtured by the leaders and people of the two countries over many generations, especially President Ho Chi Minh's visit to Belarus.
Roman Golovchenko showed his elation at his first official visit to Vietnam and hailed the achievements in socio-economic development Vietnam has recorded in recent times.
He affirmed that his nation appreciates the good traditional friendship between the two countries and considers Vietnam to be Belarus' priority partner in Southeast Asia.
At the talks, the two PMs informed each other about each country's situation, discussed directions to boost bilateral relations, and agreed on many specific measures to deepen cooperation in a substantial and effective manner, as well as exchanging views on regional and international issues of shared concern.
They underlined the importance of maintaining meetings at all levels, especially at the high level, on all channels, as well as between ministries, sectors and localities in order to effectively accelerate existing cooperation mechanisms with measures appropriate to the situation and conditions of each nation.
The two sides concurred to continue promoting the tradition of close coordination and mutual support at multilateral forums, especially at the United Nations.
PM Chinh affirmed that Vietnam is ready to act as a bridge for Belarus to strengthen cooperation with ASEAN and asked Belarus to support the stance of Vietnam and ASEAN on the East Sea issue.
The two PMs highly appreciated the positive developments in economic, trade and investment cooperation over the past time, including the implementation of the Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU, in which Belarus is a member.
They stated that the two countries need to further tap their potential for bilateral cooperation in the time to come.
PM Chinh applauded the outcomes of the Vietnam - Belarus Business Forum held in Ho Chi Minh City on December 7 as part of the Belarusian PM's visit that attracted more than 100 businesses from both countries.
He expressed his joy that the investment project "MAZ Automobile Manufacturing and Assembly Plant" of Belarus in Hung Yen province worth US$15 million is currently operating effectively as well as the research into establishing production joint ventures in both Vietnam and Belarus in industries suitable to the potential and needs of both sides.
In addition, both leaders agreed to expand cooperation into potential fields such as information technology, digital transformation, education and training, scientific research, culture, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges.
Host and guest applauded the signing of a cooperation agreement between Hanoi and Minsk within the framework of the visit and welcomed the signing of an intergovernmental agreement on cooperation in the field of education in June 2023 as a contribution to increasing the exchange of students, lecturers and experts in fields in need of both sides.
The two PMs also expressed their hope that the signing of a bilateral visa exemption agreement for ordinary passport holders within the framework of this visit to Vietnam and the Cultural Cooperation Program for the 2023 - 2025 period will contribute to strengthening exchange and cooperation in the fields of tourism, culture, and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.
PM Chinh thanked Belarusian Government leaders for paying attention to the Vietnamese community living, doing business, and studying in Belarus and asked the Belarusian Government to continue offer favorable conditions for the Vietnamese community there.
After the talks, the two Government leaders witnessed the signing of several bilateral cooperation documents.
