(VOVworld) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc is on an official visit to Mongolia to attend the 11th summit of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Ulan Bator. The visit will be an opportunity for the two countries to discuss cooperative orientations while Vietnam’s participation at the ASEM summit will strengthen its status internationally.
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Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his wife arrive in Mongolia
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Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc visits Mongolia and attends the ASEM summit from July 13 to 16 at the invitation of Mongolian President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj and Prime Minister Jargaltulga Erdenebat.
Enhancing Vietnamese-Mongolian bilateral relations
Vietnam and Mongolia established diplomatic relations in 1954. Mongolia always supported Vietnam’s struggle for national independence, has always treasured its relationship with Vietnam, and considers Vietnam one of its most important partners in Southeast Asia.
Vietnam values its friendship and cooperation with Mongolia. The two countries have maintained regular exchanges, including President Elbegdorj’s official visit to Vietnam in November, 2013. Since 1979 the Vietnam-Mongolia Inter-governmental Committee has conducted 15 sessions to boost bilateral relations. The two countries have signed several cooperative agreements on culture, education, science, and technology. In 2009 Vietnam and Mongolia inaugurated a statue of President Ho Chi Minh and opened the Ho Chi Minh Cultural Center at High school No.14 in Ulan Bator.
But bilateral economic and trade cooperation has been modest. Total trade revenue so far is only 35 million USD due to transportation difficulties. There are no direct flights between Vietnam and Mongolia.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s visit to Mongolia is an opportunity for the two countries to discuss cooperative directions in politics, economics, agriculture, culture, and education.
Affirming Vietnam’s active membership in ASEM
After his official visit to Mongolia, Prime Minister Phuc will lead a Vietnamese delegation to attend the 11th ASEM summit in Ulan Bator on July 15-16. Themed “20 years of ASEM: partnership for the future through connectivity”, the summit will be a venue for Vietnam to put forward its initiatives for ASEM and promote its external policy of multilateralization and diversification.
Over the past 20 years Vietnam has always been an active and responsible member. Vietnam successfully hosted the 5th ASEM summit in 2004 and backed the adaptation of important documents including the Hanoi Declaration on Closer ASEM Partnership and the ASEM Declaration on Dialogue Among Cultures and Civilizations.
Close cooperation among ASEM members has benefited Vietnam. Nguyen Thi Nguyet Nga, Head of the Multilateral Economic Cooperation Department, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, says: “Half of the ASEM members are strategic and comprehensive partners of Vietnam. 14 of 16 free trade agreements that Vietnam has signed or is now negotiating are with ASEM partners. ASEM is a large market for Vietnamese enterprises and it provides countless educational opportunities for Vietnamese people.”
Vietnam has entered a new development period.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh said participating in ASEM is of special importance for Vietnam’s reform and international integration. “Vietnam’s hosting of APEC 2017, the finalization of commitments to the WTO in 2018, the new generation FTAs, Vietnam’s Presidency of ASEAN in 2020, and Vietnam’s nomination to the UN Security Council in the 2020-2021 term affirm Vietnam’s strong commitment to international integration and its multilateral diplomatic policy. Vietnam has pledged to work with other members to elevate ASEM’s status and build a people-centered, dynamic, cohesive, and self-reliant ASEM.”