Da Nang (VNA)– Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc had meetings with leaders of the SouthPacific countries of Nauru and Marshall, and Guyana, a South American country, onthe sidelines of the sixth Assembly of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) inthe central city of Da Nang on June 27.

At a meeting withPresident of Nauru Baron Waqa, PM Phuc congratulated Nauru on taking over the GEFPresidency from Micronesia as well as the position as President of the group ofPacific island countries from September 2018.

He proposed that Nauruincrease exchanges of delegations in promising areas of aquaculture, fisheries,agriculture, tourism, and mining.

Vietnam welcomesdelegations from Nauru visiting Vietnam to exchange experience in ricecultivation, developing industrial trees, aquatic farming, andtelecommunications.

The PM thanked Naurufor supporting the nomination of Vietnam as the candidate of the group for anon-permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the2020-2021 tenure.

Stressing the East Seaissue as the common interest of all countries in the region, the PM said thatthe international community, including ASEAN and Vietnam, expressed the viewpointof settling disputes through peaceful measures in line with international law,including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982, as well as themaintenance of peace, stability and maritime and aviation security and safetyin the East Sea.

He asked Nauru toraise its voice to support ASEAN and Vietnam’s effort and stance in the field.

For his part,President Baron Waqa held that Vietnam is an emerging economy with highpotential and expressed his hope that Vietnam will play an active role in theAsia-Pacific region in the future.

He stressed theincreasing role of Asia-Pacific in dealing with global climate change andgreenhouse effect.

Regarding fisheries,he expressed his wish for Vietnam’s support to Nauru in preventing illegalfishing as it is related to livelihoods of island countries like Nauru andmarine environment protection.

Nauru also wishes tocooperate with Vietnam in fighting human trafficking and cross-border crimes.

At a meeting withPresident of Marshall Hilda Heine, PM Phuc affirmed that Vietnam highly values friendshipand cooperation with Marshal, suggesting that leaders of both sides takeadvantages of multilateral forums to meet and increase mutual trust andunderstanding.


The two sides shouldconsider and sign a number of framework cooperation agreements to create a legalframework for bilateral cooperation, while sharing information and coordinatingin regional issues of shared concern, he said.

For her part, HildaHeine said that she hopes Vietnam will share experience in its strong areassuch as agriculture and rural development, fishing and aquatic farming, anddeveloping and processing products from industrial crops, while strengtheningcollaboration in dealing with regional challenges, including climate change andnatural disaster relief.

She pledged tocontinue working closely with Vietnam at multilateral and regional forums,including the UN.

Meeting Guyana’sPresident David Granger, PM Phuc congratulated Guyana on recent achievements innational construction and development.


He underscored thatVietnam pays due attention in boosting friendship and cooperation with Guyana,proposing that the two sides increase delegation exchange and fostercollaboration in areas of both sides’ strengths, thus reinforcing trust andmutual understanding.

The Guyana President agreedthat the two sides should promote cooperation in information technology andinfrastructure system, while backing businesses in meeting and studying eachother’s market, thus raising two-way trade and investment.

On the occasion, PMPhuc thanked Guyana’s President Granger for supporting Vietnam’s candidacy fora non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council for 2020-2021 tenure.

He asked Guyana torecognise Vietnam’s market economy soon.

Granger hailedimportant attainments of Vietnam in economic development and poverty reductionas well as regional and international integration, showing his hope thatVietnam will expand cooperation with South Pacific and South Americanregions.-VNA