PM Dung meets with ASEM senior leaders

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung (left) and French President Francois Hollande

At a meeting with French President Francois Hollande, PM Dung praised France for maintaining its position as one of Vietnam’s leading economic, trade and investment partners, and bilateral donor in Europe.

The two leaders agreed to step up key bilateral projects in science-technology, education and training and energy as well as hold activities to mark the 2013 Vietnam – France Year and the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties.

After discussing measures to lift the bilateral ties to a new height, PM Dung conveyed President Truong Tan Sang’s invitation to Hollande to visit Vietnam. The French President accepted it with pleasure, saying that he is expected to visit Vietnam in 2013.

While talking with Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev, PM Dung discussed ways to strengthen the friendship and traditional co-operation between the two countries.

Plevneliev said he hopes the two countries will foster the bilateral ties, especially in economics, investment, trade, energy, education and training, and pharmacy.

Plevneliev said he will pay an official visit to Vietnam in early 2013, which will mark his first official visit to Asia. On the occasion, he invited Dung to visit Bulgaria at his convenience.

Receiving Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, the two sides pledged to maintain the exchange of high-ranking leaders’ visits and meetings as well as step up discussions on the agenda for a strategic partnership agreement, which would create a foundation to bring Vietnam – Indonesia relations to a new height.

Both sides discussed ways the enhancement of ASEAN solidarity and the consensus on ASEAN common issues, and striving to ensure the success of upcoming ASEAN Summits and related meetings.

Meeting with PM Dung, his Italian counterpart Mario Monti conveyed Italian President’s invitation to General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong to pay a State visit to Italia in early 2013, which according to them, will be a significant activity to mark the 40th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic ties.

The two PMs agreed to instruct ministries and departments in both countries to celebrate the anniversary in a practical and effective manner. They vowed to work together at international and regional forums.

Monti invited PM Dung to visit Italy at his convenience.

At a reception for his Luxembourg counterpart Jean-Claude Juncker, PM Dung affirmed that Vietnam, as a coordinator in the ASEAN – EU relations since July, 2012, will do its utmost to promote the ties between ASEAN and the EU as well as the EU member nations, including Luxembourg.

Juncker said Luxembourg values its relations with Vietnam and invited the Vietnamese PM to visit the country at his convenience.

Meanwhile, Slovenian PM Janez Jansa said in a meeting with PM Dung that Slovenia wants to further boost traditional relations with Vietnam, especially in economics, trade and investment.

PM Dung spoke highly of the conclusion of negotiations on a bilateral economic co-operation agreement. He suggested the two nations promptly sign the deal and other important agreements to create sufficient legal framework for closer bilateral economic co-operation in the coming time.

The two sides agreed to promote the exchange of high-ranking delegations, describing it as an important measure to further strengthen mutual understanding between the two countries.

Meeting with the UK Foreign Minister William Hague, PM Dung praised the two countries’ ministries and departments for actively implementing the 2012 Action Plan.

Hague said the UK Government wants to promote the UK-Vietnam relations, especially in economics, trade and investment as well as work closely in multilateral issues.

He also highly valued Vietnam’s role in the region, especially at important forums like ASEAN and ASEM.

On the occasion, PM Dung congratulated Bangladesh, Norway and Switzerland on becoming new ASEM members. Leaders of these countries also thanked Vietnam for its support and expressed their desire to work closely with Vietnam at international forums.