Vietnam boosts cooperation with Brunei, the Philippines, Myanmar
PM Dung and King Haji Hassanal Bolkiah expressed their pleasure at the rapid development of the friendly and cooperative ties between the two countries. They noted that Brunei now ranks 10th among 90 foreign investors in Vietnam, with 67 projects valued at more than US$4.5 billion.
They agreed to boost bilateral cooperation in economics, trade, investment, health care and education, and assigned their relevant agencies to discuss and prepare to sign a memorandum of understanding on labour cooperation.
They said they are happy at the effective cooperation between the two countries regarding East Sea issues and agreed to increase cooperation in oil and gas exploitation, including the implementation of a project between the Vietnam Oil and Gas Corporation and the Brunei National Petroleum Company.
In a meeting with Filipino President Gloria Arroyo, PM Dung acknowledged the two countries’ efforts in raising two-way trade in 2008 to US$2.2 billion, surpassing the US$2 billion target set for 2010. He thanked the Philippine government for rationally addressing the issue of Vietnamese people accidentally fishing on the Philippine seas, demonstrating the spirit of friendship and neighbourliness between the two countries.
President Arroyo affirmed that the Philippines wants to develop cooperative ties with Vietnam. She thanked the Vietnamese government for facilitating the shipment of its rice to the Philippines under export contacts, as well as coordinating closely with her country in regional and international forums.
The two leaders praised the result of their countries’ cooperation in sea-related issues. They agreed to early sign a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between the Vietnamese Ministry of Defence and the Philippine Department of Defence, including conducting joint patrols at sea between their navies. While meeting with Myanmar PM Thein Sein, Mr Dung proposed that the Myanmar government create favourable conditions for Vietnamese businesses to invest in telecommunications, mining, the automobile industry and agriculture in his country.
Mr Dung affirmed that Vietnam supports Myanmar’s roadmap for democracy and national reconciliation as well as the initial results the country has obtained in implementing this roadmap.
PM Thein Sein expressed his desire to boost cooperation with Vietnam in trade and share experiences in agricultural development. He said Myanmar welcomes Vietnamese businesses to explore opportunities for investment and cooperation in his country. He thanked Vietnam for supporting Myanmar in regional and international forums, including the United Nations.
