Vietnam, Israel aim to forge trade ties

Vietnam and Israel have wowed to boost two-way trade and investment, towards sustainable recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh

The two countries will focus on delegation and people-to-people exchanges, work to improve the quality of cooperation mechanisms, and step up coordination at multilateral forums, as agreed by Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his Israeli counterpart Naftali Bennett during their online talks on July 12.

Vietnam and Israel will also foster collaboration in research, innovation, science-technology, high-tech agriculture, and education-training, while encouraging their businesses to intensify cooperation and investment in the respective countries.

The leaders agreed to closely cooperate to advance the multi-faceted cooperation between the two countries in a more pragmatic and effective manner, and speed up the negotiations and signing of a free trade agreement and another on labour cooperation.

Chinh expressed his impression on Israel’s vaccination rollout as well as its efforts in seeking vaccine sources and vaccine research and development, suggesting the two sides closely coordinate in the pandemic combat, and partner in vaccine research and development, and treatment methods.

He called on Israel to help Vietnam access sources of COVID-19 vaccines and drugs as soon as possible through all possible cooperation forms, especially Israel’s transfer of vaccines it has signed with Astra Zeneca and Moderna.

Bennett lauded achievements Vietnam has recorded in the pandemic fight, socio-economic development and external affairs, and affirmed that Israel attaches importance to strengthening its multi-faceted cooperation with Vietnam.

Chinh congratulated Bennett on his election as Prime Minister of Israel and noted his belief that under Bennett’s leadership, the Israeli people will reap major achievements in national construction and development.

Bennett agreed with Chinh’s proposals, saying the two countries should assign their relevant ministries and agencies to soon implement contents reached by the PMs, especially cooperation in COVID-19 vaccine-related issues, contributing to deepening the bilateral multi-faceted cooperation.

On this occasion, the leaders exchanged invitations to pay official visits to their respective countries, towards the celebration of the bilateral diplomatic ties (1993-2023)./.

VNA