Hanoi (VNA) - Deputy Foreign MinisterHa Kim Ngoc led a delegation to Canada from July 6-7 and conducted the firstdeputy foreign minister –level political consultation between the twonations. 

During the visit, Deputy FM Ngoc also met with AssistantSecretary to the Cabinet for Privy Council Office David Angell.

During the meetings, the two sides discussedmeasures to promote the relationship between the two nations more practically andeffectively in the context that Vietnam and Canada are preparing to celebrate the45th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties in August 2018.

The two sides agreed to increase the exchange ofdelegations at all levels, including the preparations for the upcoming officialvisit to Vietnam by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau who will also attendthe APEC Economic Leaders Week in November.

Vietnam and Canada consented to boost cooperationin politics-diplomacy, economy-trade, development cooperation,education-training and expand cooperation in security-defence, climate changeadaption, science-technology, sustainable development, and clean energy andrenewable energy development.

The two countries pledged to continue building andimproving legal frameworks and removing obstacles in specific spheres,particularly in trade-investment, negotiating and signing agreements oninvestment protection, and facilitating agricultural product exports.

The two sides also agreed to pay due attentionto cooperation in culture, tourism and sports, as well as relations between theparliaments, localities and enterprises, thus creating a foundation for thelong-term and stable relationship between Vietnam and Canada.

Vietnam highly evaluated Canada’s developmentprojects in Vietnam, while the Canadian side affirmed to continue providing developmentassistance for Vietnam and helping the country implement sustainabledevelopment goals, respond to natural disasters, reduce poverty, and developagriculture and rural areas.

The two sides agreed to continue exchangingviews on promoting and ensuring human rights as well as the rights of women andethnic minority groups.

Vietnam and Canada consented to coordinate closelyand effectively and support each other at international and regionalorganisations and at multilateral forums, particularly in the United Nations (UN),APEC, Francophonie and ASEAN .

The two nations agreed to back ASEAN’s central role in theregion as well as closer relations between Canada and the Southeast Asian andAsia-Pacific regions for peace, stability, cooperation and development in theregion and the world.

The two sides also discussed international andregional issues of mutual concern and shared the stance on supporting the settlementof territorial disputes through peaceful measures, including dialogues anddiplomatic and legal processes, respecting international law, particularly theUnited Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 (UNCLOS), and implementingthe Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), towardsthe finalisation of the Code of Conduct (COC) in the East Sea.-VNA