Vietnam and Canada will increase cooperation in the areas of their strengths, especially economics, trade, science-technology, and education-training.

The agreement was reached during talks in Ottawa capital of Canada between Foreign Minister John Baird and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh of Vietnam who was on a visit on September 29-30.

Minh stated that Vietnam attaches much importance to strengthening a comprehensive, stable and long-lasting partnership with Canada.

He proposed an increase in reciprocal visits and urged Canada to create the best possible conditions for Vietnamese expatriates to successfully integrate into the local community.

Minh appreciated Canada’s enhanced relations with ASEAN and the Asia-Pacific region, contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region.

For his part, Baird hailed Vietnam’s socio-economic and international integration achievements and asserted in its Asia-Pacific policy Canada wants to strengthen relations with Vietnam.

He said the two sides should make a greater joint effort to develop bilateral ties in a substantial and effective manner, while maintaining dialogue to promote mutual understanding and resolve differences.

The two foreign ministers exchanged views on regional issues of mutual concern, including the situation in the East Sea.

They signed a cooperative agreement between Vietnam’s Foreign Ministry and Canada’s Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development.

At a meeting with Minister of International Development and Minister for La Francophonie, Christian Paradis, both host and guest spoke highly of fine development of bilateral ties in recent times including cooperation within the Francohonie framework.

Minh thanked Canada for listing Vietnam one of the top 25 prioritised recipients of its official development assistance (ODA).

Minister Paradis said Canada supports Vietnam’s national economic development strategy and pledges to assist the country in reforming its banking system and renovating vocational training.

Receiving Minister of International Trade Ed Fast, Minh asked Canada to further open the door for Vietnamese goods, especially agricultural products and to recognize Vietnam’s open market economy status.

At a meeting with Minister of Agriculture Gery Ritz, they agreed there is a huge potential for the two countries to boost agriculture cooperation.

Minister Ritz pledged to provide assistance for Vietnam in bio-technology and the genetic modification sciences.

During his stay in Ottawa, Minh also met leaders of the Parliament of Canada to discuss measures bolstering legislative ties and ensuring the rights of Vietnamese nationals there.

VOV/VNN