Vietnam's cooperation assured -Viet FM

Vietnamese Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh told his Sri Lankan counterpart that Vietnam looks forward to working closely with Sri Lanka in the months to come.

External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris and Vietnamese Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh, referred to the decision made during the visit of Vietnamese President Troung Tan Sang to Sri Lanka in October last year to expand trade between the two countries up to the threshold of one billion U.S. dollars within three years.

External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris with his Vietnamese counterpart

At the third Joint Commission Meeting of Sri Lanka and Vietnam chaired in Hanoi by the Foreign Ministers of the two countries, the focus was on the expansion of trade and investment. Practical modalities identified by the Ministers for the accomplishment of this objective included increased connectivity, removal of non-tariff barriers and movement towards a Preferential Trade Agreement.

Following on the State Visit by President Mahinda Rajapaksa to Vietnam in October 2009, the Vietnamese President, on his reciprocal visit to Sri Lanka was accompanied by 30 business leaders.

At the Joint Commission a new bilateral Air Services Agreement was signed between the two countries. The ministers expressed confidence that this Agreement would serve as a catalyst in promoting tourism and people to people interaction.

The two sides agreed on steps for rapid implementation of the memorandum signed last year between the Presidential Secretariat of Sri Lanka and the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam on co-operation in the petroleum sector.

The Foreign Minister of Vietnam agreed to provide substantial support to Sri Lanka in the agriculture and fisheries sector, the backbone of the rural economy. Priority will be given to technology transfer in inland fisheries, aquaculture, ornamental fish breeding and production of high yielding plant material.

Other fields of collaboration included military training for officer cadets and training courses for officers for mid-career development.

Sri Lanka welcomed the participation by Vietnam Defence Authorities in high level conferences organised by the defence establishment, including the Defence Seminar which will be held in Colombo next month.

The two Ministers agreed to intensify their engagement in the Bali Process and similar fora, especially on issues connected with counterterrorism, transnational crime, maritime security and environmental issues.

Vietnam's Foreign Minister recalled that Sri Lanka was one of the first countries to establish relations with the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

He expressed understanding of Sri Lanka's situation, consequent on the detailed briefing which Prof. Peiris gave the Vietnam Minister on the initiatives under way in Sri Lanka with regard to economic development and reconciliation.

In Hanoi, the Minister of External Affairs paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, and had discussions with Justice Minister Ha Hung Cuong of Vietnam in further consolidating the bilateral relationship.

Prof Peiris was also invited to deliver a speech at the Diplomatc Academy of Viet Nam on "Maritime Security."