President Tran Dai Quang has expressed his appreciation for the relations between Vietnam and Canada, wishing to bolster the bilateral multi-dimensional cooperation in a more practical manner.

He made the remarks at a reception in Hanoi on May 21 for Canada’s Minister of International Trade Francois-Philippe Champagne who is visiting Vietnam to attend the APEC meeting.

President Tran Dai Quang (R) and Canada’s Minister of International Trade Francois-Philippe Champagne

The President said he hopes to boost the partnership between the two countries in order to maintain peace, stability and cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region and around the world.

He also expressed his satisfaction with the development of bilateral relations between the two countries in recent years, including those in trade and investment, ODA, education, defence cooperation and the response to climate change.

He hailed Canada for considering Vietnam as an important partner and prioritized trade market in the Asia-Pacific region.

Vietnam is working hard to improve its business and investment environment and fine-tuning its legal system so it could realize the target of raising its two-way trade with Canada to 8-10 billion USD in the next five years, the leader noted.

The Minister stated that Vietnam is becoming Canada’s largest trader in ASEAN.

Education is seen as a pillar of the two countries’ multi-faceted cooperation, he said, referring to 250,000 Vietnamese living and working in Canada as an effective bridge between the two peoples.

On the occasion, he sought Vietnam’s backing of Canada’s bids to become a member of the East Asia Summit (EAS) and a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council in the 2021-2022 term. 

VNA