PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) shakes hands with his Sri Lankan counterpart Ranil Wickremesinghe, Ha Noi, April 17, 2017 - Photo: VGP/Quang Hieu

The agreement was reached between the two PMs on April 17 in Ha Noi on the occasion of the Sri Lankan PM’s official visit to Viet Nam from April 16-18.

PM Phuc welcomed the Sri Lankan high-ranking delegation led by his counterpart Ranil Wickremesinghe.

The host leader reaffirmed Viet Nam’s consistent policy of respecting the traditional ties and comprehensive cooperation with Sri Lanka.

PM Ranil Wickremesinghe expressed his pleasure to visit Viet Nam and his admiration of Great President Ho Chi Minh.  

The two leaders showed their satisfaction at the unceasing developments in the bilateral ties since the diplomatic establishment on July 21, 1970. They underlined their determination to elevate the bilateral ties to a new height in a more practical and effective manner in favor of respective advantage and potential.

They were unanimous in cementing and deepening the political and diplomatic ties; strengthening reciprocal visits at all levels; effectively implementing bilateral cooperative mechanisms, especially the fourth meeting of the Joint Commission and the third Political Consultation in 2017.

The two PMs affirmed to spur cooperation in security-national defense; sharing of information, law making experience; shaking hands in combating trans-national crimes; boosting coordination in post war consequence settlement and UN’s peace keeping operations.

They highlighted abundant potentials for economic, commercial and investment cooperation and agreed to strive for a two-way trade turnover goal of US$ 1 billion in the coming years.

The two sides were unanimous in figuring out measures to beef up cooperation in potential and advantageous fields, including petroleum, infrastructure, IT, telecom, garments and textiles, agricultural production and distribution, and aquaculture.

The two countries also agreed to enable the enforcement of the Agreement on encouragement and reciprocal protection of investments and portfolio on fields of investment encouragement; amend and sign new agreements.

The two PMs pledged to continue giving a priority to and facilitating cooperation in other areas such as energy, tourism, education, manpower development, and cultural exchanges.

They took the occasion to exchange view on regional and international issues of common concern; applaud closer coordination at regional and international forums; contribute to cooperation of ASEAN and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) in favor of peace, stability, cooperation, and development in Asia.

Both sides highlighted the significance of maintaining peace and stability in the East Sea, freedom of navigation and aviation, peaceful settlement to disputes in accordance with international laws.

After talks, the two PMs witnessed the signing of two cooperative documents including a plan on agricultural cooperation in the 2017-2019 period and an agreement on educational cooperation in the 2017-2021 and had a press briefing./.