Vietnamese, Nepalese Prime Ministers hold talks

• Vietnam, EU work to enhance comprehensive partnership and cooperation
• Deputy PM hails contributions by businesses to Vietnam-US ties
• Nepali Prime Minister begins official visit to Vietnam

At the talks between Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his Nepalese counterpart K P Sharma Oli (Source: VNA)

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.