Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has called for the early ratification of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) and the early signing of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs).

Within the 10th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM10) framework, on the early morning of October 17, PM Dung had bilateral meetings with Heads of State and Government from different world countries.

Meeting with French President Francois Hollande, the two sides spoke glowingly of bilateral cooperation results recorded in recent years aiming to realize the Vietnam-France strategic partnership.

PM Dung and the French President highlighted the success of the Vietnam – France Year (2013 – 2014) celebrating the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations as a contribution to boosting cross-cultural exchange between the two nations.

They also agreed to intensify high-level exchange visit at all levels and devise specific measures to add fresh impetus to a stronger strategic partnership in economics, trade and investment cooperation, security - defense, high technology, infrastructure, energy, transportation, aviation and space, health care, agriculture, food processing and the environment.

They also compared notes on a number of regional and international matters of shared concern and pledged their close coordination in organizing the 21st Conference of the Parties on Climate Change scheduled for Paris in 2015.

The French President stressed the importance of ensuring peace, stability and development in the Asia - Pacific region, including guaranteeing peace, safety and security and freedom of navigation, and resolving disputes through dialogues and peaceful means in accordance with international law and the 1982 UN Convention on Law of the Sea  (UNCLOS).

At a meeting with Italian PM Matteo Renzi (currently the rotating EU Presidency and ASEM 10 Chair), Dung and his Italian counterpart discussed bilateral relations and expressed delight at the fine development in the Vietnam-Italy strategic partnership over the years.

They appreciated the effective implementation of bilateral cooperation in economics - trade - investment, culture, education – training, and defense – security.

“Relevant agencies should stimulate economic cooperation as a key pillar in the two countries’ strategic partnership with a view to enhancing connectivity among businesses towards lifting two-way trade turnover to US$5billion by 2015.” They said.

PM Nguyen Tan Dung and his Italian counterpart Matteo Renzi (R).

The two PMs emphasized the need to maintain and implement consultation mechanisms between ministries and sectors in all areas of cooperation, principally the organization of the first meeting of the Vietnam-Italy Joint Committee for Economic Cooperation and Strategic Dialogue at the Deputy Defence Ministerial level set for November 2014.

Vietnam and Italy will continue to cooperate closely at regional and international forums. Regarding the East Sea issue, the Italian PM affirmed his nation’s support in ensuring maritime safety, security and freedom, settling disputes by peaceful means on the basis of respect for international law and the UNCLOS.

“Italy advocates the strengthening of relations between Vietnam and the EU by accelerating the EU early ratification of the PCA and its recognition of Vietnam’s full market economy at the same time when the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) is reached in the context of Italy assuming the EU rotating presidency in the second half of this year,” said Matteo Renzi.

PM Dung and his Swedish counterpart Stefan Lofven noted with satisfaction the sound relations between the two countries after 45 years of maintaining diplomatic ties.

They agreed that the two sides should  increase exchanges and meetings at all levels, especially high-level exchange visits and closer coordination to facilitate investors’ cooperation connectivity, particularly in the fields of green technology, creative innovation, transportation and health care.

PM Dung greatly valued the Swedish ODA for Vietnam with a focus on health care, climate change and gender equality.

PM Dung and Irish PM Enda Kenny expressed satisfaction with the growing ties between the two countries and desire to fully utilize opportunities for more effective cooperation, especially in economic, trade and investment to live up to their potential.

Dung appreciated the effective use of Ireland-ODA funded projects while asking the Irish Government to maintain its ODA provision for Vietnam in terms of health care, education and land mine remediation.

The two PMs also consented to bolster bilateral cooperation in education, climate change adaptation, agriculture and cultural exchange. The Irish PM affirmed Ireland’s readiness to share experience and support Vietnam's participation in the UN peacekeeping operations.

Meeting with Finish PM Alexander Stubb, both leaders concurred to closely cooperate to propel bilateral relations forward in the time ahead focusing on enhanced delegation exchange at all levels to set orientations for future cooperation.

The two leaders also exchanged views on issues of regional and international concern and pledged mutual support at international multilateral forums. On the occasion, PM Alexander Stubb reiterated an invitation to PM Dung to visit Finland.

Also at the Milan Convention Centre, PM Dung had a series of meetings with leaders from Kazakhstan, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Australia.

PM Dung congratulated Kazakhstan on officially becoming an ASEM member.  The two sides agreed to advance high-level exchange visits and mutually beneficial cooperation in energy, oil and gas, and trade, especially in the context that FTA negotiations between Vietnam and the Customs Union of Russia- Belarus – Kazakhstan is nearing completion.

The Vietnamese government leader and Dutch PM Mark Rutte were satisfied with the vigorous growth of bilateral cooperation, demonstrated by the outcome of the recent visits by senior leaders.

They agreed to create favorable conditions for businesses to spur investment and business cooperation in their respective market, primarily in priority areas- climate change, water management, agriculture, energy, the marine-based economy, logistics and shipbuilding.

With Slovennia, both sides said they were happy to witness the positive developments in bilateral relations in recent years, agreeing to strengthen high-level reciprocal visits and exchanges between ministries and sectors with regard to expanded economic cooperation.

Meeting with PM Dung, Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop confirmed the new Australian Government continues to consider Vietnam to be one of Australia's key partners in the Asia – Pacific region.

They affirmed mutual support at regional and international forums like the UN, ASEM, APEC, East Asia Summit (EAS) and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).

VOV/VNN