On Thursday, he met with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade of Ireland, the foreign ministers of Malta, Morocco, Albania and El Salvador, and the Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie of Canada. 
The Deputy PM discussed measures to further expand economic-trade ties and increase mutual visits with the countries, and garner support for the early signing and approval of the Vietnam-EU free trade agreement (EVFTA). He also sought the countries’ backing of Vietnam’s candidacy for a non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council in 2020-2021 tenure.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh (R) meets with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade of Ireland  Simon Conveney (Photo: VNA)

Ireland’s Deputy PM and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Simon Conveney said Ireland will sign and approve the EVFTA early. 

Malta’s Foreign Minister Carmelo Abela pledged to push for the early signing and ratification of the EVFTA, and urged the two countries to soon sign an MoU on adoption.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Morocco, Nasser Bourita, affirmed Morocco’s support of Vietnam as a candidate for the UN Security Council in the 2020-2021 tenure. He suggested the two countries enhance coordination at multilateral diplomatic hubs in New York, Geneva and Vienna to promote issues of common concern and multilateralism.

El Salvador’ Foreign Minister Hugo Martinez handed over to Deputy PM Minh a diplomatic note affirming support of Vietnam’s candidacy for a non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council in the 2020-2021 tenure, and expressed the wish to expand cooperation between the two countries.