Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc holds a joint press conference with his host PM Viorica Dancila on April 15.

The host laid a stress on the long-lasting cooperation between the two countries, especially in the field of education. She highlighted that they have always maintain and consolidated political trust on each other.

As the rotary Chair of the European Union (EU), Romania supports the signing and ratification of the EU – Vietnam Free Trade Agreement and the investment protection agreement between the two sides at the earliest possible date, she said.

The leader held that the maintenance of sustainable economic growth over the recent years by the two countries will facilitate the strengthening of bilateral cooperation in various fields, expressing her hope that Vietnam will become a close partner of her country in East Asia.

For his part, PM Phuc highlighted that the two countries enjoy a traditional relationship of friendship and cooperation lasting over the past seven decades. In its foreign policy of independence and self-reliance, Vietnam always attaches importance to its close relations with Romania, he affirmed.

The Government leader revealed that the two sides had very successful talks, exchanging ideas on concrete measures on pushing up bilateral relations as well as on international and regional issues of mutual concern.

The two sides noted that the bilateral relations have developed positively over the recent past, but large room remains for further cooperation and Vietnam hopes that the two countries will become trustful and effective partners of each other, he said.

Romanian Prime Minister Viorica Dancila welcomes Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc

Vietnam congratulated Romania on its assumption of the rotary chairmanship of the EU for the first six months of this year and believed it will successfully accomplish the term which will help affirm the role and position of Romania in the EU and the international community.

PM Viorica Dancila has affirmed to exert efforts to push the EU to officially sign the important agreements within Romania’s term of EU chair, PM Phuc revealed, adding the two sides concurred that labour is the focus of cooperation in the time to come.

At the talks, the two sides were satisfied to note that they have closely coordinated on importance international issues and supported each other at multilateral forums. They agreed to bring into full play the roles of the two countries in the ASEAN and the EU as Vietnam will be the Chair of ASEAN next year, thus contributing to international and multilateral cooperation for peace and security in the world.

PM Phuc also express gratitude to the Romanian government for facilitating the Vietnamese community there to live and integrate into the local society, and said he hope they will continue to bring into full play the role of a bridge in the relations between the two countries.

PM Phuc holds talks with Romanian counterpart

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on April 15 holds talks in Bucharest with his host PM of Romania Viorica Dancila.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on April 15 held talks in Bucharest with his host PM of Romania Viorica Dancila during his official visit to the European country from April 14-16.

At the talks, the two leaders expressed their joy at the fine development of the bilateral relations of traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation over the past nearly 70 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1950. The Romanian leader affirmed importance to the relations with Vietnam and stressed that the ongoing visit by PM Phuc is an important milestone in the bilateral relations. She also spoke highly of Vietnam’s socio-economic achievements and rising role in the region and the world over.

The two leaders exchanged ideas on measures to further push up bilateral relations in the fields of great potential like politics, diplomacy, security and national defence, economy, trade, investment, education and training, labour, culture, tourism, agriculture and food processing. They spoke highly of the cooperation between the two countries’ localities over the recent past, taking this as a direction for the traditional cooperation between the two sides.

The two PMs agreed to increase the exchange of high-level delegations and effectively implement existing bilateral cooperation mechanisms. The two sides should make active preparations for the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic relations.

The host PM said the Vietnamese community in Romania is small but quite trustworthy and integrating well, making contributions to the socio-economic development of the host country. Meanwhile, PM Phuc thanked his host and the Romanian government for the facilitation of the community.

Besides bilateral issues, the two PMs also exchanged ideas on international and regional issues of mutual concern, sharing the vision on and commitments to the acceleration of bilateral cooperation at international forums and organisations. They affirmed the importance of the maintenance of peace, security and stability for cooperation and development, the solution of differences and disputes by peaceful means in line with the international law, the charter of the United Nations and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

PM Phuc invited the Romanian PM to pay an official visit to Vietnam. The invitation was accepted and will be arranged at a convenient time.

Following the talks, the two leaders witnessed the signing of a cooperation memorandum of understanding on agriculture, animal health and food safety, and chaired a joint press conference on the outcome of the talks.

PM calls for breakthrough in Vietnam – Romania economic ties

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc speaks at the event

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc called for a breakthrough in Vietnam – Romania economic, trade and investment ties in his address to the Vietnam – Romania business forum in the capital city of Bucharest on April 15.

Speaking before hundreds of business delegates and investors, the PM hailed the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Romania Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Vietnamese Embassy in Romania for holding the event.

The PM informed participants about the outcomes of his talks with his Romanian counterpart, which he said will open up economic, trade and investment cooperation opportunities for the two nations.

He said despite annual growth, the two-way trade, which stood at 218 million USD last year, remains modest compared to their potential.

While the two governments have continuously worked to improve business climate, firms themselves must strive to expand their scale and adopt new ways of doing business, he said.

According to him, Vietnam’s membership in 12 free trade agreements and the European Union – Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) in the near future will open up opportunities for both sides to boost ties. He also took the occasion to urge the two countries’ chambers of commerce and industry to step up ties between firms.

Highlighting Vietnam’s advantages in foreign direct investment attraction, he particularly underlined the socio-political stability, improved competitiveness and innovation, a 100 million population and the goal of attracting 50 million tourists.

The Government leader wished that Romanian enterprises would push for the signing and ratification of the EVFTA. He suggested the two sides enhance science-technology collaboration, launch direct flights, and facilitate the import of quality farm produce and pharmaceuticals.

Romanian business representatives wished that the two governments would further facilitate cooperation opportunities, especially in labour export, industry, culture and education. They expressed willingness to partner with Vietnamese firms, particularly small and medium-sized ones.

They backed the signing of the EVFTA, saying that it will make it easier for EU and Romanian to do business in Vietnam.

VNA