(VOVWORLD) - Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s trip to Russia, Norway and Sweden was a success, reflecting the extensive and diverse relations between Vietnam and the three European countries, Deputy Foreign Minister To Anh Dung said.
 Deputy Foreign Minister To Anh Dung (Photo: dangcongsan.vn) |
Prime Minister Phuc and Russian leaders agreed on strategic orientations and detailed measures to step up multi-dimensional cooperation and tap the potential of the Vietnam-Eurasian Economic Union Free Trade Agreement to boost two-way trade to 10 billion USD by 2020.
Norway and Sweden pledged to push for prompt signing, ratification, and implementation of the European Union-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement, the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement, and a free trade agreement between Vietnam and the EFTA states (Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein).
Deputy Foreign Minister Dung said leaders of the three European countries are looking forward to stronger ties with Vietnam at multilateral forums if Vietnam becomes a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council and hope to enjoy closer relations with ASEAN countries when after Vietnam assumes the ASEAN Chair in 2020. The leaders voiced support for peace, security, and stability; free navigation and overflight; and the settlement of disputes in the East Sea and the region by peaceful means with respect for international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.