The joint statement said PM Phuc’s visit continues to affirm the closeness between the two countries as well as the importance that they attach to the bilateral comprehensive cooperative partnership. The two sides agreed to work together to organize activities to mark the 45th anniversary of Vietnam-Myanmar diplomatic ties (May 28, 1975-2020).

The leaders agreed to promote the exchange of delegations and bilateral cooperative mechanisms in defense and security, including the early establishment of a defense policy dialogue at deputy ministerial and deputy chief of general staff levels.

The two sides agreed to expand cooperation in crime control and non-traditional security issues, and commit to not allowing any individual or organization to use one country’s territory to carry out activities to harm the other country. They asked relevant agencies to early finalize a Memorandum of Understanding on mutual assistance in criminal matters.

The two sides vowed to double Vietnam’s investment in Myanmar through an enhanced and comprehensive economic cooperation strategy to be built by the end of 2020.

The leaders agreed to maintain close coordination and cooperation at regional and international forums, especially the ASEAN and ASEAN-led mechanisms. The Myanmar side reiterated its support of Vietnam as Chair of ASEAN in 2020 and a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2020-2021.

They re-affirmed the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the region and the freedom and safety of navigation and overflight in the East Sea. They stressed the importance of settling disputes by peaceful measures on the basis of international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea without using or threatening to use force. The two sides underlined the need to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and to build an effective, substantive and legally binding Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).