Vietnam, Brunei agree on maintaining joint committee on cooperation
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The agreement was reached during a meeting in Jakarta on April 24 between Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Brunei Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah.

The two leaders highly appreciated the positive developments in the Vietnam-Brunei relations in recent years, noting that the lifting of the bilateral relationship to the comprehensive partnership in 2019 during the Sultan’s Vietnam visit is an important milestone, creating a driving force for stronger and more efficient cooperation between the two countries, VOV reported.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (L) and Brunei Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah meet on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit in Indonesia. Photo: VOV

In particular, they said bilateral trade value continued to grow in 2020 despite the negative impact caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

They agreed to increase high-level exchanges and contacts when conditions permit, soon organize the second session of the joint committee on bilateral cooperation between the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs in 2021, and develop an action plan to implement the comprehensive partnership in the next five years.

Both leaders consented to encourage their businesses to expand partnerships in the areas of their strength, including energy, agriculture, education, aquaculture, and seafood processing.

The Brunei side pledged to assist Vietnamese businesses in completing production lines for farm produce to be exported to Brunei, meeting Halal standards.

Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah spoke highly of Vietnam’s successes in the COVID-19 fight and economic recovery, as well as in chairing ASEAN in 2020, making a significant contribution to peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region.

Both sides exchange views on measures to expand all-round cooperation between the two countries. Photo: VOV

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh congratulated Brunei on its effective control of the COVID-19, thus facilitating economic recovery and development in the post-COVID period.

Vietnam attaches great importance to developing relations with Brunei, affirmed Chinh, adding that Vietnam also supports Brunei’s role as ASEAN President in 2021.

The PM thanked Brunei for supporting Vietnam in fulfilling its role as ASEAN President in 2020 and as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2020-2021.

He also proposed that Brunei support Vietnam’s bid to host the ASEAN Regional Center on Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases.

The Sultan invited the Vietnamese PM to visit Brunei, and the invitation was accepted with pleasure.

The PM conveyed the senior Vietnamese leaders’ invitation to the Sultan to visit Vietnam at an appropriate time.

PM Chinh is in Jakarta, Indonesia, for an ASEAN summit.

Brunei is currently the President of ASEAN 2021.

Earlier, on April 13, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son held a phone talk with Brunei Second Minister of Foreign Affairs Dato Erywan Pehin Yusof, during which both agreed to regularly and effectively maintain the nations’ mechanism of the joint committee on bilateral cooperation.

At their phone call, the Brunei minister congratulated Son on his appointment as Foreign Minister, praised Vietnam’s attainments in pandemic prevention and socio-economic development as well as outstanding achievements in external relations, including its 2020 ASEAN chairmanship and the position as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2020 – 2021, according to Vietnamplus.

Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son. Photo: VNA

Minister Son, meanwhile, spoke highly of the two nations lifting of their ties to comprehensive partnership on the occasion of the Sultan of Brunei’s visit to Vietnam in 2019 and expressed his delight at the sound development of the two countries' cooperation, particularly in trade last year despite COVID-19.

Both ministers agreed to soon build an action plan to implement the comprehensive partnership for the next five years and regularly and effectively maintain the nations’ mechanism of the joint committee on bilateral cooperation while studying to establish a political consultation mechanism and signing a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between the two foreign ministries as soon as possible.

They also concurred on boosting the two nations’ cooperation in trade and investment.

Son took the occasion to thank Brunei and other ASEAN member states for supporting Vietnam in holding its role as ASEAN Chair in 2020 and as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2020 – 2021.

Vietnam actively backs Brunei’s ASEAN chairmanship this year, he affirmed.

Son invited Dato Erywan Pehin Yusof to visit Vietnam at a convenient time, and the Brunei minister accepted the invitation with pleasure.

37th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits successfully wrap up The closing ceremony of the 37th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits took place on November 15 afternoon via teleconference.

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