Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his Canadian counterpartJustin Trudeau agreed to establish the framework of a comprehensive partnershipbetween Vietnam and Canada during their talks in Hanoi on November 8.

This marked an important milestone in the bilateral ties, serving as a drivingforce to promptly step up friendship and extensive and productive cooperationat a time when the two countries have increasingly been sharing interestsbilaterally, regionally and globally, they said.

They agreed that the two sides will coordinate to realise contents in the comprehensivepartnership framework across politics-diplomacy, trade-investment, development,education-training, national defence-security and science-technology.

They showed their delight at the positive development of the bilateral tiesover many fields over the past years.

PMPhuc spoke highly of immense contributions to the two countries’ diplomaticties made by late Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, Justin Trudeau’s father,affirming that Vietnam treasures and wants to further its relations withCanada.

Hesaid over the past more than two decades, Canada has always been among the top suppliersof official development assistance (ODA) to Vietnam, and asked for the country’sfurther supply of this capital source, especially for poverty reduction,climate change response, agriculture and sustainable growth, and support for Vietnam’saccess to preferential loans after 2017.

Thehost suggested Canada recognise Vietnam as a market economy soon, further openthe market to Vietnamese goods and provide more support for the Vietnamesecommunity.

Trudeau,who is in Vietnam from November 8-9, described Vietnam as an important partnerof Canada in the region and wished to foster bilateral friendship and long-termcooperation.

Hecommitted to supporting Vietnam in climate change response and promotion ofsustainable development via the implementation of the 2030 United NationsAgenda for Sustainable Development.

Theguest pledged to expand academic exchange via establishing partnerships andstudent exchange programmes between the two countries’ educationalestablishments.

Thetwo leaders promised to continue working closely together at regional andglobal forums such as the UN, APEC, Francophonie, as well as issues of sharedconcern.

Onregional and global issues of shared concern, the two leaders expressed supportto ensuring maritime and aviation security, safety and freedom in the East Sea,the peaceful settlement of disputes in the East Sea, full respect fordiplomatic and legal processes, and international law, as well as promotion ofocean use for peaceful purposes, environmental and marine ecological protection.

Followingthe talks, the two PMs attended a joint press conference.-VNA