At a high-level dialogue on responsive and responsible leadership on January 19 (local time), he called on countries to act responsibly towards regional and global peace and stability. He also highly valued the role of multilateral organisations, especially the United Nations, in promoting common interests of the international community.

Meanwhile, in an opening speech at a debate session on the outlook of ASEAN after 50 years of development, the Vietnamese leader highlighted the grouping’s achievements, its consensus principle and the “ASEAN Way” which created the bloc’s identity.

ASEAN should effectively implement the roadmap to the ASEAN Economic Community and take advantage of free trade agreements with partners to attract investment and foster trade. Vietnam has made important and responsible contributions to the unity and consensus of ASEAN and joined other ASEAN countries in building a strong ASEAN Community, he added.

At a meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres the same day, PM Phuc assured that Vietnam will continue its proactive and active participation and effective contributions to the UN’s important issues. The two sides also voiced their delight at the growing relationship between Vietnam and the UN.

He valued the effectiveness of the extensive cooperation with the Netherlands, particularly in the building of the Mekong Delta Plan, while talking to his Dutch counterpart Mark Rutte.

PM Phuc asked the country to keep assisting Vietnam to implement the strategic partnership agreement on sustainable agriculture and food security, and to support Vietnam’s candidacy for a non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council for 2020-2021.

Meeting with Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, he said he hopes the Queen will share experience in the development of inclusive finance and promote partners’ assistance for Vietnam in building credit programmes targeting low-income people and ethnic minority groups.

Meanwhile, he noted satisfactorily the organisation of practical activities marking 45 years of the Vietnam-Switzerland diplomatic ties at another meeting with Swiss President Doris Leuthard on January 19. He also appreciated the Swiss Government’s commitment to giving 90 million USD in financial aid to Vietnam for 2017-2020, asking Switzerland to help his nation develop high-quality education.

Speaking to Sri Lankan PM Ranil Wickremesinghe, PM Phuc told both sides to coordinate to effectively carry out bilateral cooperation mechanisms. They should also consider setting up a joint committee at the ministerial level to boost ties, work out concrete measures to augment trade, investment and tourism and agricultural cooperation.

At separate meetings with executives of global enterprises, the leader asked UK group Prudential to expand operations in Vietnam and have more programmes and projects to help enhance the local insurance and financial services industries.

PM Phuc showed support for US firm Alphabet-Google’s opening of an office in Vietnam, adding that Vietnam boasts huge potential for IT development. He also invited the group’s representatives to attend the APEC Business Advisory Council and the APEC meetings in Vietnam later this year.

He told executives of the US’s Carlyle and Qualcomm groups that his country is pressing on with measures to improve the investment climate and have much potential of IT development.

He highly valued the Swiss Re Group’s operations in Vietnam, saying these have helped improve the competitiveness of the country’s insurance system.

The PM also asked Swiss Re to share experience and carry out more cooperation programmes and projects in this field, especially agricultural insurance.

VNA