Dubai (VNA) – Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh had separate meetings with Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel,President of the World Bank Group Ajay Banga, and Swedish PM Ulf Kristersson inDubai on December 2, on the sidelines of the World Climate Action Summit at the28th UN Climate Change Conference (COP28).

Talking tothe Cuban President, PM Chinh congratulated the Caribbean country on successfullychairing the G77 summit on climate change within the COP28 framework.

He noted thatthe Vietnamese Party, State, Government, National Assembly, and people alwaystreasure and are determined to further intensify the traditional solidarity andcomprehensive cooperation with Cuba, and support the just revolutionary causeof the Cuban people. The PM also reaffirmed Vietnam’s consistent stance onobjecting to the unilateral sanctions and embargoes against Cuba.

The Cuban leader expressed his gratitude to the VietnameseGovernment and people for their precious assistance for his country in the faceof socio-economic development difficulties caused by sanctions and embargoes.

He described the Cuba - Vietnam relations as a finesymbol nurtured by Presidents Fidel Castro and Ho Chi Minh, along withgenerations of the two countries’ leaders.

The two sides agreed to coordinate their countries’stances and increase opinion exchanges at multilateral forums. They alsoconcurred in stronger cooperation to boost economic, investment, and tradeties, including in agriculture and food security ensuring.

Meetingwith President of the WB Group Ajay Banga, PM Chinh spoke highly of the bank’ssupport for and cooperation with Vietnam, particularly in giving policy adviceand finance to help fruitfully carry out many projects, which have considerablycontributed to local socio-economic development and poverty reduction.

Bangacongratulated Vietnam on its positive results in economic development andhighly valued its Government’s effective governance to obtain those results. Hestressed that the WB continues viewing Vietnam as an important partner and willcontinue assisting the country.

To boostcooperation effectiveness, the two leaders agreed to accelerate current projectsand promote large-scale and influential strategic ones.

As the WB is restructuringits presence in the world, PM Chinh suggested it establish a regionalcentre based in Vietnam and pledged the best possible conditions for thisoffice to run projects in Vietnam and regional countries. In response, Banga highly valued the idea and said he will seriouslyconsider the establishment of a regional centre.

The WB Group Presidentparticularly applauded the Vietnamese Government’s efforts and determination ingreen transition, climate change response, and sustainable development,especially the low-emission cultivation of 1 million ha of high-yield rice. He consideredthe cultivation as a model project on green agriculture of the WB in the world.

Bangaalso proposed Vietnam consider joining the global carbon credit market, affirmingsupport for the country during this process and the realisation of climate commitmentsand targets.

At the meeting with his Swedish counterpart UlfKristersson, PM Chinh stated that Vietnam always attaches importance to andwishes to enhance the traditional friendship with Sweden, one of its prioritypartners in Europe. He proposed both sides to step up mutual visits at all levels,especially in 2024 when they will celebrate the 55th anniversary oftheir diplomatic relations.

As thereremain much potential and room for the two countries’ cooperation, he called onthem to bolster partnerships across the board, especially in economy, trade,investment, digital transformation, green transition, circular economy,education - training, and tourist visa extension. He also asked Sweden to shareits success experiences in cultural, human, and social security developmentwith Vietnam.

Kristersson took in PM Chinh’s suggestions andexpressed his hope to visit Vietnam in the near future to comprehensivelypromote cooperation. He also affirmed that Sweden will make efforts to enhancesubstantive ties in all potential fields, asking relevant agencies of bothcountries to consider the opening of direct air routes between Vietnam and Scandinaviancountries, especially Sweden, to foster tourism and people-to-people exchanges.

He also high valued Vietnam’s stance on peacefullyresolving international disputes and conflicts on the basis of the UN Charterand international law, not using or threatening to use force, ending all acts causingcasualties for civilians, and guaranteeing security, safety, and freedom of internationalnavigation and overflight.

The Swedishleader said he believes Vietnam will keep making active contributions to maintainingthe centrality of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the settlementof issues of the international community’s common concern.

On this occasion, the two sides also agreed tofurther strengthen cooperation at multilateral forums and serve as bridges forthe ASEAN - EU cooperation. They also discussed many international and regionalissues, including the East Sea./.