Vietnam and Liberia have affirmed their determination to double or triple the current bilateral trade of 35.3 million USD.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh (R) meets wth Liberian Foreign Minister Marjon Vashti Kamara in Hanoi on December 8

The determination was made during talks between Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and Liberian Foreign Minister Marjon Vashti Kamara in Hanoi on December 8. 

At the talks, Minh asserted that Vietnam always attaches importance to developing its friendship and cooperation with Liberia, a promising partner in West Africa.

The two officials agreed on concrete measures to further the bilateral ties in a deep and effective manner.

In terms of economy, the Liberian official wished Vietnam to help his country in agriculture, mining, infrastructure building and telecommunication.  He welcomed Vietnamese businesses to Liberia for market research to establish trade and investment relations.

The two sides agreed to create favourable conditions for Vietnamese and Liberian enterprises to promote trade and attend fairs and exhibitions in respective countries.

They discussed measures to step up collaboration in agriculture, oil and gas, telecommunication, and defence-security, and agreed to soon sign the framework agreement on cooperation between the two Governments, the bilateral trade agreement, the agreement on investment encouragement and protection, the protocol on cooperation between the two foreign ministries, creating a favourable legal corridor for bilateral cooperation. 

In terms of politics, the two sides emphasised the need to increase the exchange of all-level delegations via the channels of Party, State, National Assembly, ministries and localities while facilitating people-to-people exchange to further solidarity and mutual understanding. They also pledged to continue coordination at multilateral forums.

Deputy PM and FM Pham Binh Minh expressed his wish to welcome the President of Liberia in Hanoi next year. He suggested the West African country support Vietnam’s bid to become a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2020-2021 tenure and recognise Vietnam as a full market economy.

Regarding regional and international issues of mutual concern, the Vietnamese official affirmed the principle stance of Vietnam and ASEAN is to solve disputes, including those in the East Sea, by peaceful means, including full respect for diplomatic and legal processes on the basis of the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and objection to the use of force or threat of use of force.

Stressing the need for the full and serious implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) towards the early conclusion of a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC), Minh suggested Liberia back the principal stance of Vietnam and ASEAN.

Following the talks, Deputy PM and FM Pham Binh Minh and Liberian FM Marjon Vashti Kamara witnessed the signing of the agreement on visa exemption for diplomatic and official passport holders, the first agreement between the two countries.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc receives Liberian foreign minister

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) receives Liberian Foreign Minister Marjon Vashti Kamara on December 8 

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc received Liberian Foreign Minister Marjon Vashti Kamara in Hanoi on December 8, asking his guest to push for the provision of favourable conditions for Vietnamese investment in Liberia.

Welcoming the minister’s working visit to Vietnam, PM Phuc said he believes that after this trip, the two countries will make new strides in their relations with the implementation of concrete projects to meet the aspiration of the two countries’ leaders and people.

He asked the two sides, which boast sound bilateral relations, to increase exchanging delegations at all levels. As cooperation potential remains huge, especially in trade and investment, Vietnam and Liberia should take many measures to enhance cooperation in all aspects.

The PM urged efforts to strongly boost bilateral trade, which is just 35.3 million USD at present, and create optimal conditions for each other’s businesses to promote trade, exchange delegations, and participate in fairs and exhibitions held in their countries.

Phuc also asked Liberia to support Vietnam’s candidacy for non-permanent membership at the United Nations Security Council for 2020-2021 and to recognise the full market economy status of Vietnam.

Meanwhile, the two foreign ministries need to keep close coordination to step up bilateral cooperation activities in all spheres, he added.

At the meeting, Minister Kamara expressed her admiration for Vietnam’s struggle for national independence and development efforts.

Informing her host about the outcomes of the talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh, she said the two sides agreed on many concrete contents on cooperation reinforcement to maximise their countries’ advantages.

They also signed an agreement on visa exemption for diplomatic and official passport holders of Vietnam and Liberia, which will strengthen connections between the two Governments and peoples.

The minister also voiced her hope that her visit will give a boost to the two countries’ friendship and cooperation in the future.

VNA