PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc held bilateral meetings with Czech PM Andrei Babis, Bulgarian President Rumen Radev and Albanian President Ilir Meta on October 22 in Tokyo, Japan after attending the coronation ceremony of Japanese Emperor Naruhito. 

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) meets Czech PM Andrei Babis, Tokyo, Japan,
October 22, 2019 - Photo: VGP/Quang Hieu 

 At these meetings, the Vietnamese leader discussed measures to promote the relations between Viet Nam and these nations more intensively and practically, heading to celebrate the 70th founding anniversary of the diplomatic ties with these countries by 2020. 

He spoke highly of the assistance of these nations for Viet Nam, regarding it as a valuable asset for Viet Nam and these nations to develop their relationship in the time to come, for the sake of their people. 

Leaders from the Czech Republic, Bulgaria and Albania expressed their delight on Viet Nam’s economic development and international integration performances, agreeing to uphold the trust and friendship between Viet Nam and these countries to enhance bilateral relationship. 

Foreign leaders exchanged measures to strengthen cooperation with Viet Nam at international and regional forums, particularly when the country will preside over the ASEAN Chairmanship 2020 and the non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council in the 2020-2021 tenure.

They highlighted the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security and safety of navigation in the East Sea, advocating addressing disputes with peaceful measures in line with the international laws.

The Czech PM appraised cooperative achievements and increasing delegation exchanges between Viet Nam the Czech Republic, expecting that the EU-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the EU-Viet Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), which will take effect in the future, will make practical contributions to the two sides’ economic, trade and investment ties. 

PM Andrei Babis asserted to create favorable conditions to Viet Nam’s Bamboo Airways to complete necessary procedures to soon launch the Ha Noi-Prague direct air route, paving the way for mutual trade exchanges.  

The Czech Republic has launched consular measures to facilitate travel for Vietnamese citizens, willing to receive high-skilled laborers and nurses, hoping to boost cooperation with Viet Nam in defense and mining, he added. 

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) meets Bulgarian President Rumen Radev,
Tokyo, Japan, October 22, 2019 - Photo: VGP/Quang Hieu 

At the meeting with the Bulgarian President, Phuc affirmed that the two sides should uphold their advantages to exploit huge cooperative potential, focusing on education-training, information-technology, electronics, chemicals and pharmacy. 

The two leaders were unanimous in soon organizing the inter-Governmental Committee on economic, trade, scientific and technological cooperation.  

PM Phuc lauded on the active coordination between the two nations at international forums, confirming that Viet Nam is willing to facilitate Bulgaria to enhance cooperation with ASEAN when the nation will take over the ASEAN Chairmanship 2020. 

He expressed his hope that Bulgaria will soon approve the EVIPA and continue urging the EU Parliament to ratify the EVFTA. 

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) meets Albanian President Ilir Meta,
Tokyo, Japan, October 22, 2019 - Photo: VGP/Quang Hieu 

During the meeting between the Vietnamese PM and the Albanian President, the two leaders stressed the need to promote information exchange, including the organization of economic and trade forums  for their enterprises and people to seize opportunities for accelerating trade. 

They consented to soon speed up negotiations and signing of the Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement and Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement. 

The Czech, Bulgarian and Albanian leaders gladly accepted invitations of the Vietnamese leader to pay official visits to Viet Nam at appropriate time.