Vietnam and Canada decided to strengthen the cooperative and friendly relations between the two countries in a comprehensive, substantive, effective, stable and long-term manner on bilateral, regional and global levels, meeting the interests of the two countries, contributing to maintaining peace, stability, cooperation and development in the Asia-Pacific region and the world, on the basis of respecting the United Nations Charter, the fundamental principles of international law and the laws of each country.
Building on the increasingly good multifaceted cooperation between the two countries since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1973, Vietnam and Canada have decided to establish a framework for the Vietnam-Canada Comprehensive Partnership in specific areas such as: In terms of Politics and Diplomacy: Vietnam and Canada will continue to exchange visits by high-ranking leaders and regular dialogue between senior officials of the two governments, including Political Consultations at the Deputy Ministerial level; welcome exchanges between Party and National Assembly agencies of the two countries. Vietnam and Canada will continue to cooperate closely in multilateral institutions such as the United Nations (UN).
On the afternoon of November 8, 2017, at the Party Central Committee Headquarters, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong received Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on an official visit to Vietnam. (Photo: Tri Dung/VNA)
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Francophonie. The two countries reaffirmed their common commitment to maintaining peace, security and stability in the world, supporting the United Nations Charter and the principles of international law and will consider cooperation in relevant areas of mutual interest within bilateral and multilateral frameworks in a constructive spirit and with mutual respect, contributing to promoting bilateral relations.
Vietnam and Canada emphasize the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, and support the maintenance of a rules-based order for the seas and oceans, including the South China Sea. This approach is based on international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS); support the guarantee of freedom of navigation, overflight, commerce and other uses of the seas for peaceful purposes, and the protection of the marine environment and ecosystems. Vietnam and Canada affirm their support for the peaceful resolution of disputes in the South China Sea, including full respect for diplomatic and legal processes and in accordance with international law.
Vietnam and Canada emphasized the important role of ASEAN in the regional architecture, supported efforts to build a strong and prosperous ASEAN Community based on the rule of law, and welcomed ASEAN's initiatives to maintain peace, security and prevent confrontation in the region such as the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).
Vietnam and Canada will continue to work together to address global challenges, including counter-terrorism, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and non-traditional challenges such as transnational crime, climate change, maritime security, food security, water security, and environmental protection. Vietnam and Canada will work to protect biodiversity and habitats, combat illegal logging and trafficking, and support the implementation of the Hanoi Statement on Combating Illegal Wildlife Trafficking. Vietnam and Canada recognize the importance of protecting and promoting human rights in accordance with their respective constitutions and international commitments, including support for the United Nations Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and are willing to enhance mutual understanding.
Connecting Vietnamese and Canadian businesses. Illustrative photo source: Internet
On Trade and Investment: Vietnam and Canada are committed to considering two-way trade and investment as an important driving force of the relationship between the two countries. The two countries will maintain their interest in each other's markets as important markets and promote bilateral trade and investment in key areas.
Vietnam and Canada will facilitate trade exchanges and promptly resolve issues that may arise in trade and investment relations on the principles of cooperation, equality and mutual benefit; strengthen cooperation in multilateral economic-trade-financial cooperation frameworks such as the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum (APEC), the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank (WB). Vietnam and Canada will discuss the potential of the Canada-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement and promote the implementation of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP).
On Development Cooperation: Vietnam and Canada recognize the contribution of development cooperation to their overall relationship over the past decades and will maintain a strong partnership for the sustainable development of their bilateral relationship. Canada appreciates Vietnam’s outstanding achievements in poverty reduction since the 1990s and the current development goals set out in the “Vietnam 2035” Report. Vietnam appreciates Canada’s official development assistance to Vietnam and its long-standing partnership in development cooperation. Vietnam and Canada recommit to the provisions of the 1994 General Agreement on Development Cooperation as the foundation of this partnership.
The two countries are committed to maintaining their long-standing policy dialogue on enhancing development effectiveness and efficiency, considering these as shared goals and fundamental prerequisites for continued cooperation. Canada recognises the need for a new, more strategic approach to development cooperation between the two countries and will seek to allocate resources to programs that are aligned with Canada’s International Assistance Policy for Women and that respond directly to Vietnam’s development challenges, such as poverty reduction and rural development, as identified in Vietnam’s Socio-Economic Development Plan 2016-2020. Accordingly, Canada’s development cooperation will support Vietnam’s efforts to respond to climate change and promote sustainable development through the implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
On Defense and Security: Vietnam and Canada share common interests in peace and security in the Asia-Pacific region and will continue to work together in bilateral and multilateral dialogue and cooperation mechanisms on defense, security, capacity building and training issues. Vietnam and Canada will explore and promote cooperation in the areas of peacekeeping, maritime security, humanitarian assistance and disaster response, as well as other areas of mutual interest and benefit. Vietnam and Canada will continue to explore ways to enhance defense cooperation through the International Military Cooperation and Training Program and Vietnam’s training programs. Vietnam and Canada have decided to explore new areas of cooperation to enhance security, including capacity building in areas of mutual interest.
On Culture and Education: Vietnam positively acknowledges Canada’s efforts to attract more Vietnamese students to study at Canadian educational institutions. Canada welcomes more Vietnamese students seeking educational opportunities in Canada. The two countries recognize that the education sector is under the jurisdiction of the Canadian provincial governments and have decided to enhance and facilitate the expansion of academic cooperation and exchanges, including through the establishment of partnerships and student exchange programs between educational institutions of the two countries.
Science, Technology and Innovation: Vietnam and Canada will promote and strengthen cooperation in areas such as energy, clean and sustainable technology, agriculture and food, information and communication technology, environmental and marine research, and climate change mitigation and adaptation. The aim is to facilitate the participation of a wide range of stakeholders to share information, experiences and topics of mutual interest. The two countries will further explore potential opportunities to collaborate on research and development, deployment and commercialization of clean, advanced and innovative technologies to address the challenges of global climate change.
People-to-People Exchange: Vietnam and Canada welcome the strong and growing people-to-people ties at all levels of society, including in the business, academic, media, cultural, sports, tourism and non-governmental organizations sectors. Vietnam and Canada will work together to further promote these ties through cooperation in various fields and between localities of the two countries. Vietnam and Canada recognise the contributions of the Vietnamese community to Canada. With a policy of multiculturalism, Canada welcomes Vietnamese values and culture, which strengthens the friendship between the two peoples. The two countries encourage people-to-people ties to promote friendship./.
Cong Dao
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