PM Nguyen Tan Dung on December 17 described his Haitian counterpart Laurent Salvador Lamothe’s visit a milestone in the history of bilateral relations, providing fresh impetus for stronger future cooperation.

 

Vietnam wants to develop the ties of friendship and cooperation in all areas with the Republic of Haiti, Dung told Lamothe during talks in Hanoi.

He hailed Haiti’s efforts in maintaining political stability, boosting socio-economic development, and expanding external relations, as well as in overcoming the consequences of the 2010 powerful quake.

Both leaders agreed that the two countries should increase the exchange of delegations to promote mutual trust and understanding and boost cooperation in potential areas such as trade, telecommunications, agriculture and construction,

Vietnam and Haiti need to take advantage of flexible mechanisms to enhance bilateral cooperation in science-technology, education, health care, food security, and poverty reduction, they said.

They agreed to accelerate talks on the establishment of a strategic and long-term partnership on food security, as well as other mechanisms, laying a firm legal foundation for stronger cooperation.

Accordingly, the two countries will kick-start negotiations of six agreements on investment protection and encouragement, food security, agriculture, culture, sports and tourism, and visa exemption for diplomatic and official passport holders.

Both sides agreed to encourage and create favourable conditions for their business communities to increase economic, trade and investment ties.

They highly valued the efficient operation of NATCOM, a joint venture Vietnamese military-run telecom corporation (Viettel) and the Haitian Ministry of Economy and Finance, considering it an exemplary model to expand to other areas.

They also exchanged views on a number of regional and international issues of mutual concern, saying both sides will continue supporting each other at multilateral forums for peace, stability and development in the two regions and the rest of the world.

PM Lamothe voiced his support for East Sea-bordered countries’ efforts in maintaining a stable and peaceful environment and settling marine-related issues through peaceful means in line with international law and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

He said Haiti and Vietnam have many things in common and they have potential for strengthening bilateral cooperation and development.

He called on Vietnamese telecom and garment businesses to invest in Haiti’s export processing zones, and confirmed that Haiti is Vietnam’s reliable partner.  

PM Lamothe invited PM Dung to visit Haiti, and the visit was accepted with pleasure.

After the talks, the two PMs signed a joint Vietnam-Haiti communiqué and witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding on the establishment of a strategic investment partnership between Viettel and the Haitian government.  PM Lamothe began an official three-day visit to Vietnam on December 16 at the invitation of PM Dung. 

VOV