Vietnam, RoK strengthen strategic partnership

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh made the statement during talks with the Republic of Korea (RoK) Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se in Hanoi on March 20.

The two diplomats reviewed the significant achievements in the bilateral relations over the past 25 years and discussed measures to carry out effectively the common perceptions reached by the two nations’ leaders.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and  Republic of Korea (RoK) Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se.

Vietnam firmly pursues the diplomatic policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralisation and diversification of international integration, Minh said while suggesting the RoK actively intensify high-level delegation exchanges and cooperation with Vietnam ministries and localities.

It is essential to enhance bilateral economic and trade links for stable, balanced and sustainable development and realise the Vietnam – RoK free trade agreement as well as measures to balance trade between the two countries, especially reducing Vietnam’s trade deficit with the RoK, Minh stated.

He asked the RoK to facilitate the entry of Vietnamese agro-forestry-fisheries into the RoK’s market and support the Southeast Asian nation to join the RoK’s global production and supply chains, while encouraging Korean businesses to increase investment in infrastructure development, renewable energy, support industry, food processing, agriculture and seafood.

He also proposed the RoK actively engage in the restructuring of State-run enterprises and the banking system in Vietnam, maintain the provision of non-refundable aid packages and official development assistance (ODA) for Vietnam, and soon reach the signing of the framework credit agreement in the 2016-2020 period.

Both sides agreed to augment coordination in industry, agriculture, science-technology, transport, culture, education, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges, he said.

It is essential to enhance coordination in regional and international multilateral mechanisms of the United Nations, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and the Mekong – RoK, to promote the settlement of differences, including East Sea disputes via peaceful means and international law and respect for diplomatic and legal procedures as well as navigation freedom, security and safety, they stressed.

They also concurred to fully implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and soon finalize the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC), contributing to the maintenance of peace, security, and development in the region and the world.

Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se affirmed that the ministry will continue coordinating with Vietnam to accelerate the implementation of high-level agreements in the most practical and effective manner, to lift the bilateral strategic cooperative partnership to a new height and in observance of the 25th anniversary of their diplomatic ties.

The same day, Major General Le Hien Van, Deputy Director of the General Department of Politics under the Vietnam People's Army, made hosted a reception for Major General Ji Young Quan, chief of staff at the RoK’s Defence Security Command.

Major General Le Hien Van told his guest that the defence partnership between Vietnam and the Republic of Korea (RoK) has reaped positive outcomes over the past time, contributing to peace, stability and development in the region and beyond.

He suggested the two sides sign a Memorandum of Understanding as a foundation for the effective implementation of cooperation commitments to deepen the bilateral defence ties.

Major General Ji Young Quan expressed his delight at the growing collaboration between the two countries and affirmed to coordinate with the Vietnam People’s Army’s security agency in propel bilateral cooperation forward in the future.