Vietnamese, Nepalese Prime Ministers hold talks

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his Nepalese counterpart K P Sharma Oli were glad that cooperative documents have been signed between Vietnam and Nepal, serving as a foundation for their cooperation to be expanded and deepened in the future.

The leaders held talks in Hanoi on May 11 during the official visit to Vietnam by the Nepalese Prime Minister and his spouse from May 9-13.

The documents signed during the visit included an agreement on visa exemption for official and diplomatic passport holders between the two governments; a memorandum of understanding on the establishment of a bilateral consultation mechanism between the two foreign ministries’ and a letter of intent on the negotiation and signing of a framework agreement on trade and investment cooperation between the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies of Nepal.

PM Phuc warmly welcomed PM Sharma Oli on the first official visit of a Nepalese leader to Vietnam since the two countries set up diplomatic ties in 1975, describing the visit a vivid manifestation of the developing traditional friendship between the two countries.

PM Sharma Oli expressed his joy about the visit to Vietnam visit, as the country is his first destination in Southeast Asia since he took the office in February 2018. He spoke highly of immense socio-economic and diplomatic achievements made by Vietnam and invited PM Phuc to soon visit Nepal.

The two PMs discussed joint visions to deepen the traditional friendship, agreeing to boost the exchange of high-level visits and meetings, and people-to-people activities, and work together to organize practical activities to celebrate the 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2020.

They reached consensus on broadening the relations between the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Nepal Communist Party in the coming time.

While hailing the outcomes of the Vietnam-Nepal Business Forum held on May 10, PM Phuc shared with his Nepalese counterpart that bilateral economic ties have yet to tap the respective countries’ potential and strength. Both said they will assign competent ministries and sectors to study new cooperative and result-oriented mechanisms on economics, trade and investment, and encourage businesspeople to research the respective markets and launch partnerships.

PM Phuc suggested Nepal assist Vietnamese investors seeking opportunities in the country, especially those who are interested in energy, infrastructure and telecommunications. For his part, PM Sharma Oli asked Vietnam to facilitate the entry of Nepalese goods in the country.

They said agriculture is a field with development potential and agreed to consider proposals to open market for respective farm produce, especially rice, black pepper, rubber, and tropical fruits along with boosting the exchange of information, expanding cooperation in hi-tech agriculture and exchanging agricultural experts.

They also agreed to step up exchanges and cooperation in culture, tourism, people-to-people exchange, science-technology, information-communications, aviation, security, logistics and the fight against disaster catastrophe.

The Vietnamese side agreed to speed up the establishment of the Vietnam-Nepal Friendship Association.

PM Phuc expected the Nepalese Government to continue supporting Vietnamese people living and working in its country so they would work as a bridge for the two countries’ ties.

The leaders shared views on regional and international issues of mutual concerns, asserting to work closely and support each other at multilateral forums, especially at the United Nations.

PM Phuc took the occasion to thank Nepal for backing Vietnam’s run for a non-permanent member seat in the United Nations Security Council for 2020-2021.

Vietnam, Nepal issue joint statement

Vietnam and Nepal on May 11 issued a joint statement on the official visit to Vietnam by Prime Minister of Nepal by H.E K P Sharma Oli.

The following is the full text of the joint statement:

“1. H.E. K P Sharma Oli, Prime Minister of Nepal and his spouse paid an official visit to Viet Nam from 9 - 13 May, 2019 at the invitation of H.E. Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Prime Minister of Vietnam. Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli was accompanied by his spouse Radhika Shakya, Minister for Foreign Affairs Hon. Pradeep Kumar Gyawali, Advisors to the Prime Minister, Members of Parliament and high ranking government officials. A business delegation also accompanied the Prime Minister of Nepal.

2. The official welcoming ceremony was solemnly held at the Presidential Palace on 11 May 2019. After the welcoming ceremony, Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli held talks with Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, met with President of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan. Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli also addressed the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics and the Vietnam - Nepal Business Forum. Prior to the welcoming ceremony, Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli paid floral tribute and deep respect at President Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, and laid a wreath at the Memorial of the Unknown Martyrs and Heroes. Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli will attend and address the United Nations Day of Vesak on 12 May 2019.

3. The official talks were held in a warm, cordial and friendly atmosphere. The two leaders discussed all aspects of the bilateral relations, and exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest. Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli expressed his admiration for President Ho Chi Minh and congratulated Vietnam on the latter’s tremendous achievements in socio-economic development. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli for having chosen Vietnam as his first destination in Southeast Asia since he took office in February 2018, underlining that the first visit of a Nepali Prime Minister to Vietnam would contribute to strengthening the multifaceted relations between the two countries in the coming days. Prime Minister of Vietnam congratulated the people of Nepal for the historic political achievement and for its' unique and homegrown peace process and its institutionalization through a democratic constitution and the formation of a stable government. He lauded Nepal Government’s efforts to bring about visible transformation in the living standard of Nepali people and expressed his best wishes for the realization of the national resolve of ‘Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali’. Following the talks, the two leaders witnessed the signing of the Agreement on Visa exemption for diplomatic and official passport holders, the MOU on establishment of bilateral consultation mechanism between the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs and the Letter of Intent on negotiating and signing the framework Agreement on trade and investment cooperation.

4. Both leaders underlined the cultural and historical similarities between their countries, and recognized the importance of Buddhism as a strong binding thread between the people of the two countries. The two leaders noted that both Vietnam and Nepal had to undergo various kinds of struggle to preserve sovereignty, territorial integrity and national independence.

5. Both sides welcomed practical commemorative activities to be held in 2020 for the 45th anniversary of their diplomatic relations. Both sides shared the views that the visit – a key milestone in their relations, would pave the way for a new stage and an enhanced level of cooperation in tourism, trade and people to people contact between the two countries.

6. Acknowledging the remarkable progress in their bilateral relations and on the basis of mutual understanding and trust, the two leaders shared a vision on further widening and deepening the Vietnam – Nepal traditional friendship across all areas.

7. Recalling their meeting on the sidelines of World Economic Forum in Davos in January 2019, the two leaders agreed to enhance mutual visits and exchanges at the high and all levels, between their political parties, governments, legislative institutions, local bodies and peoples.

8. Both sides welcomed the signing of the Agreement on visa exemption for diplomatic and official passport holders, the MOU on establishment of a bilateral consultation mechanism between their Foreign Ministries, the Letter of Intent on negotiating and signing the framework Agreement on trade and investment cooperation and underlined the importance of those agreements in promoting bilateral relations and cooperation in the years ahead.

9. Both leaders shared the assessment that their bilateral economic and trade cooperation remained far below their potentials and strengths. They welcomed the renewal of the MoU on cooperation between the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and the Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC) in April 2018, and tasked their relevant authorities to explore establishment of bilateral economic and trade cooperation mechanisms, encourage their businesses to survey each other’s market and participate in trade promotion activities, particularly in such areas as electric appliances, coffee, tea, seafood, textile, leather footwear and to explore new areas of cooperation, including energy, renewable energy, high-tech agriculture, and tourism.

10. Both leaders agreed to look into proposals of market access for the agricultural products that they held competitive edge, encourage information exchange and cooperation in agricultural science and technical research, and promote exchange of agricultural experts. Recognizing the desire of Nepal to graduate from LDC status at an early date, the Vietnamese side welcomed further imports of Nepali products into Vietnam’s market and agreed to encourage Vietnamese investors and entrepreneurs to invest in productive sectors in Nepal.

11. Both sides agreed to exchange experience on law enforcement, information on criminals and consider negotiation and signing of agreements in order to create the legal framework for their cooperation in combating crimes and criminal justice, with immediate priority given to the signing of an agreement on crime prevention and combat between the Ministry of Public Security of Vietnam and the Ministry of Home Affairs of Nepal.

12. The two sides agreed to enhance exchange and cooperation in culture, tourism and people-to-people interaction. Both leaders welcomed the success of the Nepali tourism promotion program in Ho Chi Minh City in March 2019, and agreed to encourage more tourists to each other’s tourist attractions. The Vietnamese side expressed its support to Visit Nepal Year 2020 by sending more tourists to Nepal, including Buddhist pilgrims to Lumbini, the birth place of Buddha and the fountain of Buddhism. Both sides underlined the need for establishing direct air service between the two countries and instructed the concerned Ministries to consider an Agreement on Air Services at the earliest to promote trade, investment, tourism and people-to-people contacts. Both leaders commended the effective performance of the Nepal – Vietnam Research Centre since its inception in November 2018 and agreed to promote establishment of the Vietnam-Nepal Friendship Association in Hanoi in the time to come.

13. Both sides agreed to bolster cooperation in other potential areas such as science and technology, information and communication, logistics, and disaster preparedness.

14. Both leaders shared similar views on various regional and international issues of mutual interest. They reiterated the importance of faithfully observing the Charter of the United Nations, principles of international law and norms. They reiterated their resolve to preserve multilateralism and find common solutions to common problems. They further reiterated the need to work together for a just, equitable, inclusive, rules-based and democratic world order.

15. Both Prime Ministers spoke highly of the cooperation and coordination between the two countries at regional and international forums, including the United Nations, and agreed to further strengthen this tradition. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc expressed his gratitude to the Government of Nepal for supporting Vietnam’s bid to become a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the term of 2020-2021.

16. Prime Minister of Nepal K P Sharma Oli expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and the people of Vietnam for the warm and gracious hospitality, and extended his cordial invitation to Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc to visit Nepal in the near future. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc gladly accepted the invitation.”

 NA Chairwoman meets with Nepalese Prime Minister

National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan (R) and Nepalese Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli

Vietnam and Nepal share a lot of historical, cultural and religious similarities, they said.

The Vietnamese NA supports and readies to create a favourbale legal corridor to boost cooperation between the two countries, Ngan said.

Particularly, the NA will push the implementation of the outcomes of the talks between Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his Nepalese counterpart as well as cooperation agreements reached during the guest’s ongoing official visit to Vietnam, she affirmed.

K P Sharma Oli said it is his first visit to Vietnam in the position of the PM.

Nepalese people have supported Vietnam from the years of fighting for national liberation, he said.

He added that his talks with PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc gained a lot of positive outcomes, meeting the wish of the two countries’ leaders and marking a milestone in the effort to boost the bilateral relations.

He suggested the two countries enhance cooperation in the coming time, including the establishment of a direct air route.

NA Chairwoman Ngan described the Nepalese PM’s visit as a new development step in the two countries’ relations.

She told the guest that many Vietnamese want to visit Nepal because it is the birthplace of the Lord Buddha.

A convenient air route between the two countries will attract a lot of Vietnamese tourists to Nepal, she said.

The top legislator wished Nepal to successfully host Vesak 2020.-VNA