>>Vietnam boosts relations with Bangladesh
President Truong Tan Sang and his Bangladeshi counterpart Abdul Hamid issued on August 10 a joint statement between Vietnam and Bangladesh on the occasion of President Hamid’s official visit to Vietnam from August 9-13.
During their talks, the two leaders expressed their desire to broaden existing cooperation and extend it to potential areas. They agreed to promote political links between two countries, and underscored the need to facilitate all-level visits and people-to-people exchanges.
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| President Truong Tan Sang (left) and Bangladeshi President Abdul Hamid at the welcome ceremony on Aug 10__Photo: VNA |
Besides, they committed to push forward policy consultations, exchanges and dialogues, and soon convene the third meeting of the Joint Committee on Economic, Trade, Cultural, Scientific and Technological Cooperation while strengthening cooperation in national defense-security.
The two nations vowed to increase bilateral trade value to 1 billion USD by 2016 from 800 million USD in 2014 and extend collaboration in textile and garment, mining, energy, chemicals, manufacturing mechanical engineering, consumer products, food processing, iron and steel, construction and telecommunications.
Both sides spoke highly of their close coordination at regional and international forums, especially the United Nations (UN), Non-Alignment Movement, South-South Cooperation and the ASEAN Regional Forum.
President Sang appreciated Bangladesh’s support for Vietnam’s election to the 2014-2016 UN Human Rights Council and the UN Economic and Social Council for the 2016-2018 tenure, and wished that Bangladesh would back Vietnam’s application for non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2020-2021 tenure.
Meanwhile, Bangladeshi President thanked Vietnam for its support to Bangladesh’s bid to become an official member of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) and a member of the UN Human Rights Council for the 2015-2017 tenure.
Both sides affirmed mutual support and proposed joint initiatives in fields of mutual interest, including sustainable development, disaster response, water and food and energy security. Vietnam took note of Bangladesh’s call for support for its bid as a dialogue partner of ASEAN and encouraged Bangladesh to propel its specific and effective links with ASEAN.
They also stressed the importance of maintaining peace and stability and respecting the fundamental principles of international law in addressing disputes on maritime safety and freedom.-(VLLF)
