PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) and his Slovak counterpart Robert Fico, Ha Noi, July 18, 2016 - Photo: VGP/Quang HieuPM Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his Slovak counterpart Robert Fico held talks in Ha Noi on July 18, to cement and deepen the bilateral ties.
PM Phuc warmly welcomed the official tour of Mr. Robert Fico, affirming that Viet Nam always respectscementing and deepening ties with traditional friends, including Slovakia.
The two PMs briefed each other of their respectivesituations,discussedways to promote the bilateral ties, and talked regional and international issues of common concern.
PM Phuc congratulated the Government and people of Slovakia on theirachievementsattained in socio-economic development and integration and Slovakia’s rotating European Union presidency.
For his part, PM Robert Fico praised Viet Nam’s achievements in the renovation and its increasing status in the international arena. Slovakia always considers Viet Nam as a traditional partner and hopes to beef up the bilateral ties in all field, theguest leader said.
Elevating economic ties to a new height
The two leaders hailed the stable economic ties in which the two-way trade turnover hit around US$300 million. Slovakia’s direct investment in Viet Nam remained modest with five operating projects. Meanwhile,Viet Namonly had aproject in Slovakia.
They agreed to improve theoperation of the joint commission on economic cooperation between Viet Nam and Slovakia; promote trade and investment promotion activities in such areas as infrastructure building, food processing, pharmaceuticals, urban planning, public transport, environmental protection, and water management.
Both sides were also unanimous in boosting cooperation in national defense, culture, education-training,as well asscience-technology.
PM Phuc thanked the Slovak Government forsupportingtheoverseasVietnamese communitythere and hoped that they would continue to serve as a bridge to promote the bilateral ties.
The two PMs expressed their pleasure at the close coordination at international forums.
PM Robert Fico stressed that Slovakia backed the close relations between Viet Nam and the EU; the signing and ratification of the Viet Nam-EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA); and urged the EU to early recognize Viet Nam’s market economy.
Regarding the East Sea issue, the two PMs expressed their concern over recent developments and emphasized the need to resolve disputes via peaceful solutions, in accordance with international law, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS); seriously comply with the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea(DOC); early finalize the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC), regarding this as the effective ways to ensure peace, security, stability, safety, freedom of navigation, aviation, and trade in the East Sea.
Right after thetalks, the two PMs witnessed the signing ceremony of cooperative documents on transport, information, communications, investment, education./.