Vietnam, Bulgaria issue joint statement

In the statement, both sides agreed to joint efforts to build a "new economic co-operation model" as the way towards a strategic partnership.

The two sides stressed the importance of inter-parliamentary co-operation and supported the further enhancement of contacts and co-operation through implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding between the two countries signed on April 16, 2012.

In addition, they agreed to hold regular political consultations between the two foreign ministries, discussing bilateral issues and stances on international and regional issues of common concern.

Both countries wish to promote and diversify co-operation on economics and trade, and they emphasised the Vietnam-Bulgaria Inter-Governmental Committee on co-operation in economics, trade, science-technology, education-training and other fields.

They agreed to facilitate the operations and investments of both countries' businesses, particularly in the fields of infrastructure construction, planning, urban development, public transport systems, energy, environmental protection and food processing.

The two countries also agreed to co-operate on financial issues in response to current economic-financial challenges. This includes experience sharing in public finance management, internal finance supervision and debt management.

Both sides wish to expand co-operation in agriculture, husbandry and aquaculture by implementing the memorandum of understanding between Vietnam's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and Bulgaria's Ministry of Agriculture and Food.

They supported the further enhancement of bilateral co-operation in energy, including nuclear, renewable and alternative energy and other relevant technologies.

They vowed to increase co-operation in defence through strategic defence dialogues at all levels, and to expand co-operation in training, experience sharing in preparing forces to take part in United Nations peacekeeping activities, crisis response, natural calamities and peacetime emergencies. Bilateral defence technology co-operation and activities relating to military medicine, relaxation and culture-sport exchange were also covered. Both sides also agreed to boost co-operation in security by signing an agreement on counter-crime co-operation, sharing experiences and professional skills, training Vietnamese cadets and officers in Bulgaria.

They reaffirmed their wish to share experience in the protection and exchange of confidential information based on the agreement between the two governments signed on April 16, 2012.

They decided to continue promoting co-operation in education and training by carrying out the co-operation programme between the two education ministries for the 2012-2016 period, while encouraging direct co-operation between universities and educational establishments.

The two sides agreed to intensify cultural co-operation through concrete programmes and activities, like art exchanges and cultural delegations, film weeks and exhibitions on each country's culture and people, and cultural heritage preservation. The Bulgarian side pledged to assist Vietnam restore historical relics as well as train specialists in the conservation of heritage and archaeology.

With an eye to enhancing tourism links on the basis of the Tourism Agreement signed in November 2006, the two sides reached a consensus on encouraging direct contact between the two countries' travel and tourism companies and agencies in a bid to explore markets and possibilities of launching tours in each country. Boasting a developed tourism industry, Bulgaria committed to sharing experience, providing assistance to tourism promotion, training and developing human resources for Vietnam's tourism industry.

Both agreed to work together in promoting mutually beneficial bilateral co-operation in information technology and communications, strengthening related legal frameworks and encouraging direct meetings between businesses.

The two sides affirmed their determination to scale up effective co-operation in science and technology by strengthening existing links and identifying new fields for collaboration and encouraging the commercialisation of the outcomes of joint scientific research between the two countries. Both also emphasised the importance of the signing of a co-operative agreement between the Vietnam Science-Technology Academy and the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences.

The two sides agreed that the Vietnamese citizens who have worked and lived in Bulgaria and the current overseas Vietnamese community in Bulgaria serve an important role in the friendship between the two nations, making positive contributions to economic and trade ties. Both promised to pay continued attention to creating favourable conditions for the Bulgaria-based Vietnamese community and the Vietnam-based Bulgarian community to act as bridges between the two countries.

The two sides emphasised the central role of the United Nations in maintaining peace and security in the world, advancing economic progress and social integration of everyone so as to deal with global threats and challenges. Both shared the view that all regional and international disputes need to be solved via peaceful measures in compliance with international law. Both sides will intensify their co-operation at the United Nations and other multilateral forums regarding regional, and international security issues while taking into serious consideration mutual support for candidacy for posts in international organisation and forums.

Vietnam and Bulgaria affirmed their willingness to exchange viewpoints on traditional and non-traditional security threats, such as the fight against international terrorism, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, organised crime, pirates and illegal migration. They also agreed to further discussion of sustainable development and environmental protection, maritime security, the promotion of activities of non-governmental organisations and associations, rule of law, human rights and other issues of concern.

Bulgaria supports the strengthening of ties between Vietnam and the European Union on the basis of the Partnership and Co-operation Agreement (PCA) signed between the EU and Vietnam. The two sides back the timely conclusion of negotiations on a free trade agreement between Vietnam and the EU. Vietnam highly valued Bulgaria's ratification of the PCA.

Bulgaria supports ASEAN's central role in safeguarding stability and peace in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as the grouping's efforts towards building an ASEAN community by 2015. Vietnam backs Bulgaria's bid to increase its ties with ASEAN and its member states.

Both sides were unanimous on working together in development projects designed for sub-regions, including those of the Mekong and Danube rivers, in an effective manner.

(Source: Nhandannewspaperonline)