Vietnam prime minister receives M’sian, Armenian ambassadors

VIETNAMESE Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc highlighted the need to maintain cooperation mechanisms during separate receptions in Hanoi on Monday for the Malaysian and Armenian ambassadors.

Receiving Malaysian diplomat Shariffah Mustaffa, Phuc lauded her contributions to the Vietnam visit by the Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir bin Mohamad last year.

He suggested both sides continue stepping up highlevel visits and exchanges, and expressed wishes to welcome the Malaysian prime minister to Vietnam for the Asean Summit.

The leader proposed the early signing of an action plan to realise the bilateral strategic partnership for 2020-2025 and suggested Malaysia limit trade barriers on Vietnamese goods, especially farm produce and halal food for Muslims.

As two countries are one of the top 10 trade partners of each other, he asked for lifting two-way trade from $11.1 billion last year, equivalent to the figure in 2018.

He also expressed delight at the launch of Vietnam Market in Kuala Lumpur scheduled for March.

The prime minister asked the ambassador to create favourable conditions for Vietnamese workers in Malaysia.

The host urged Malaysia to continue facilitating more cooperation in the field of oil and gas exploration and exploitation, and technical oil and gas services.

Shariffah, for her part, pledged to help hold the sixth meeting of the Vietnam-Malaysia joint committee this year, adding her country will do its best to support Vietnam during its Asean Chairmanship.

She thanked the Vietnamese government for providing support for Malaysian firms in the country and wished both sides would boost coordination across food technology, Halal food, auto manufacturing, and aviation.

She agreed to work to help lift two-way trade as the potential remains huge.

During a reception for Armenian Ambassador Vahram Kazhoyan, Phuc said he wished to intensify ties with Armenia and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), of which Armenia is a member.

He said the two countries should tap the free trade agreement between Vietnam and the EAEU to step up bilateral trade and investment.

The host proposed holding the second meeting of the Vietnam-Armenia Inter-Government Committee soon to reach consensus on measures to promote bilateral ties.

He thanked Armenia for supporting Vietnam’s role as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2020-2021 tenure.

As Asean Chair 2020, Vietnam is ready to serve as a bridge between Asean and Armenia, he said.

Kazhoyan, for his part, suggested both sides hold a business forum to boost trade and investment.

He described the 1,000 Vietnamese students in Armenia as a bridge to bolster bilateral ties and proposed boosting cultural exchange and tourism links.