New York (VNA) – Deputy Prime Minister andForeign Minister (FM) Pham Binh Minh had meetings with countries’ leaders and foreignministers that took part in a ministerial-level open debate heldby the UN Security Council (UNSC) in New York on January 9.

In his meeting with Urmas Reinsalu, Foreign Minister of Estonia, a country thatis also a non-permanent member of the UNSC for 2020-2021, Minh suggested thetwo countries continue to strengthen bilateral relations, especially in tradeand investment, and closely coordinate at the council, thus contributing to theUN’s peace and security activities.

Reinsalu congratulated Vietnam on its position as president of the UNSC, saying that his country supports Vietnam’spriorities to address conflicts and cyber security, and improve the working methods of theUN.

Estonia attaches importance to strengthening its relations with Vietnam andother ASEAN members, especially as Vietnam acts as the chair of the group thisyear.

He urged the two countries to expand cooperation in the fields of strength suchas agriculture and digital technology.

Meanwhile, Hungarian FM Peter Szijjarto said his country treasures its tieswith Vietnam, and hopes to enhance multi-faceted cooperation with the SoutheastAsian nation.

He called on the two sides to accelerate the implementation of projectsinvested by Hungary in Vietnam.

For his part, Minh agreed that the two countries need to coordinate to successfullyhold activities to celebrate the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties.He said after the European Union – Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the EU –Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA)are approved, they will contribute to promoting trade ties between Vietnam andthe EU in general, and Hungary in particular.

Meeting with the Vietnamese official, Michelle Müntefering, Minister of State at the Federal Foreign Office of Germany,spoke highly of Vietnam’s dual responsibility as the chair of ASEAN and anon-permanent member of the UNSC.

He hoped his country and Vietnam will expand coordination at regional andglobal forums, including the UNSC.

The two sides discussed measures to push trade and investment relations, especiallytapping opportunities when the EVFTA and the EVIPA are ratified.

They also underlined the need tomaintain peace, stability, aviation security and safety in the East Sea.

In a meeting between Minh and Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesRalph Gonsalves, the two sides agreed to consider negotiating a frameworkagreement to create a foundation for cooperation between the two countries.

Deputy PM and FM Minh conveyed Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc’sinvitation to Gonsalves to visit Vietnam./.