At the meeting, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh reaffirmed Vietnam’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification, multilateralization, initiative and active international integration, in which Vietnam always attaches importance to relations with Canada.
The Prime Minister hoped that during his tenure, the Ambassador would continue to make active contributions to the development of the Vietnam-Canada Comprehensive Partnership, especially in the context of the two countries celebrating the 5th anniversary of the Global Partnership. (2017-2022) and towards the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations (1973-2023).
In the context of the world facing many challenges and the complicated developments of the COVID-19 pandemic and high inflation in many countries, the Prime Minister expressed his pleasure at the continued development of bilateral relations. effective and real, shown through vividly illustrated numbers. Bilateral trade turnover in the first 6 months of 2022 reached 3.57 billion USD, up 25.5% over the same period in 2021, of which Vietnam’s exports to Canada reached more than 3.25 billion USD, up 32% .
Regarding investment, as of November 2021, Canada is Vietnam’s 14th largest foreign investor with 231 projects with a total capital of more than 4.81 billion USD. The two sides also strengthened cooperation in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change.
On this occasion, the Prime Minister expressed his gratitude to the Government of Canada for giving Vietnam an official development aid of up to 1.3 billion USD from 1990 to present.
Currently, the situation of the COVID-19 epidemic has been basically controlled in Vietnam and Canada, towards activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2023, the Prime Minister asked the Canadian Ambassador to coordinate promote the exchange of delegations at all levels, especially the visits of the two countries’ senior leaders, and at the same time increase contacts at all levels and channels to promote bilateral cooperation, especially in the economic field- trade-investment, development assistance, post-pandemic response and recovery, climate change, environmental protection, promotion of clean and green growth, training of high-quality human resources.
The Prime Minister emphasized that as two complementary economies and both members of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), Vietnam and Canada need to cooperate closely. further to make bilateral trade constantly develop, contribute to the recovery and development of the economies of the two countries as well as ensure the sustainability of the global supply chain. The Prime Minister asked Canada to continue to support and create conditions for Vietnamese goods, especially agricultural products, seafood, seasonal fruits, cashew nuts, coffee, honey, furniture, etc. to enter the Canadian market.
Credit: Báo Điện Tử Chính Phủ