PM Suggests Vietnam, Kazakhstan Open Direct Air Route

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (right) and Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi. Photo: VGP

Vietnam always treasures its traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation with Kazakhstan, the PM affirmed at reception for Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi in Hanoi on August 18, VietnamPlus resported.

He suggested the two sides further promote the exchange of delegations at all levels, and support each other at multilateral forums and international organisations, particularly the United Nations and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA).

The leader expressed his pleasure at positive progress in the bilateral economic and trade collaboration, especially after a free trade agreement between Vietnam and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) took effect in 2016. In 2021, two-way trade exceeded $630 million, tripling the figure recorded before the pact came into force.

The Government leader proposed Kazakhstan create favorable conditions for products of Vietnam’s strength like farm produce, seafood, apparel and wooden products to approach its market.

He recommended the two sides collaborate and push for the amendment of the Vietnam-EAEU Free Trade Agreement to facilitate their bilateral trade and investment ties.

It is necessary to promote the role of the Vietnam – Kazakhstan intergovernmental committee for economic – commercial and scientific – technological cooperation, the PM said.

Agreeing with PM Chinh’s suggestions, Tileuberdi stated Kazakhstan wants to fortify the friendship and cooperation with Vietnam, particularly in economy, trade, and investment.

There remains large room for partnership in such fields as agriculture, tourism, transport, finance, and clean energy, the official noted.

The host and guest also spent time discussing international and regional matters of mutual concern, including the South China Sea (Bien Dong Sea) issue.

On this occasion, Tileuberdi conveyed the Kazakh PM’s invitation to PM Chinh to pay an official visit to Kazakhstan at an appropriate time.

The same day, Tileuberdi met with President Nguyen Xuan Phuc who suggested the two sides step up cooperation in areas of great potential such as agriculture, tourism and transportation, according to VOV.

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc (right) Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi. Photo: VNA

Tileuberdi affirmed that Vietnam is an important partner of Kazakhstan in Asia-Pacific, emphasising that Kazakhstan desires to boost cooperation with the Southeast Asian nation in economy-trade, investment, finance, education-training, culture-tourism, transportation, clean energy and high technology.

The Kazakh official and FM Son also compared notes on measures to foster cooperation between the two countries during their talks in Hanoi on the day, The World & Vietnam Report said.

Son viewed Tileuberdi’s Vietnam visit, which was made from August 17-18 on the occasion of the 30th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties, as momentum to strongly beef up traditional friendship and multi-faceted cooperation between the two countries.

Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son, and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Mukhtar Tileuberdi compared notes on measures to foster cooperation between the two countries during their talks in Hanoi on August 18. Photo: WVR

He welcomed the Kazakh delegation, which included representatives of Kazakh state management agencies in finance and investment who came to explore cooperation and business opportunities in Vietnam.

The Minister suggested Kazakhstan support Vietnamese investors to operate in the market.

Tileuberdi affirmed that attaching importance to boosting the relationship with Vietnam is an important part of Kazakhstan’s foreign policy towards Asia-Pacific.

Host and guest agreed to better optimise opportunities generated by the Vietnam- EAEU FTA to which Kazakhstan is also a signatory.

The two sides will consider establishing joint ventures in areas such as garment-textiles and food processing, and create optimal conditions for their goods to penetrate their respective markets./.