PM leaves New York, concluding his working trip

Earlier, the PM had bilateral meetings with top leaders of Cuba, Bulgaria, Croatia, Fiji and Saint Lucia, during which he briefed them on Vietnam’s development achievements and its foreign policy.

He asked these countries to support Vietnam’s candidacy for non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council for the 2020-2021 tenure, and affirmed the country’s strong commitment to contributing more to maintaining international peace and security.

The leaders appreciated Vietnam’s increasingly important role in the region and the world. They expressed their belief that Vietnam would perform well the role as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, while pledging to maintain close coordination with the country within the framework of the UN and other international organisations.

Meeting President of Cuba’s Council of State and Council of Ministers Miguel Diaz-Canel, PM Phuc suggested both sides continue consolidating existing cooperation mechanisms, speeding up the establishment of new ones, exchanging experience and increasing the efficiency of existing cooperation projects.

Diaz-Canel agreed to boost economic cooperation to match the two sides’ potential, and lauded projects Vietnam is implementing in Cuba’s special economic zones.

While meeting Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov, the Vietnamese leader asked Bulgaria to continue encouraging its enterprises to explore investment and business opportunities in Vietnam in oil and gas, bio-technology, information technology, environmental protection and food processing.

He expressed his hope that Bulgaria will help speed up the European Union’s signing of its free trade agreement with Vietnam this year.

The Bulgarian PM agreed to further develop bilateral ties, hoping to welcome PM Phuc and other Vietnamese leaders to his country.

At his meeting with Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, PM Phuc affirmed Vietnam’s willingness to create favourable conditions for Croatian enterprises, while suggesting both sides intensify delegation exchanges and trade and investment promotion to raise bilateral trade to USD200 million  in the next five years.

Agreeing with the Vietnamese leader’s proposal, Kolinda welcomed the two countries’ signing of an Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement in July.

Meeting Fijian President Jioji Konrote, the Vietnamese PM confirmed his country is willing to share its experience with Fiji in agricultural development, food security, fishing and seafood processing.

Both sides agreed to cooperate closely in climate change and sea-level rising response and maritime protection.

Exchanging views with Saint Lucia’s Prime Minister Allen Chastanet, PM Phuc welcomed the two countries’ establishment of diplomatic ties on June 26th, 2018./.