Vietnamese, Latvian foreign ministries hold political consultations

Permanent Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son held political consultations with the State Secretary of the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Andrejs Pildegovics, in Hanoi, on June 12.

Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son (left) and State Secretary of the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Andrejs Pildegovics. (Photo: MOFA)
Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son (left) and State Secretary of the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Andrejs Pildegovics. (Photo: MOFA)

The two sides voiced their satisfaction at the active developments in the traditional friendly relations between Vietnam and Latvia over the past few years, especially the official visit to Latvia made by Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh in October 2017.

They applauded the close coordination between Vietnam and Latvia at international and regional forums, particularly the United Nations (UN) and the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM).

Son extended his gratitude for Latvia’s commitment to support Vietnam’s candidacy for a non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council for the 2020-2021 tenure. Meanwhile, Pildegovics affirmed that Latvia strongly backs the prompt signing and ratification of the Vietnam-European Union Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).

At the event. (Photo: MOFA)

Both sides spoke highly of the progress in Vietnam-Latvia economic and trade cooperation over recent years. Vietnam is the largest trade partner of Latvia in Southeast Asia, and Latvia is also Vietnam’s largest trade partner among the Baltic countries, with two-way trade reaching US$166 million last year, a ten-fold increase compared to 2010.

They welcomed the signing of a double taxation avoidance agreement, while agreeing to soon launch negotiations on an economic cooperation deal and an educational cooperation agreement between the two countries, aiming to finalise the legal framework and create favourable conditions to facilitate bilateral cooperation in various fields.

The two sides highly appreciated the cooperation outcomes between the two Foreign Ministries, including the maintenance of the political consultation mechanism and the close coordination in standpoints on important international issues.

They agreed to support the peaceful settlement of disputes, including the East Sea disputes, in accordance with international laws, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and maintain their efforts to ensure maritime and aviation security and safety in the region.