OREANDA-NEWS. December 05, 2011. Belarus and Vietnam have agreed to ramp up cooperation across all the areas, says the Belarus-Vietnam joint press release issued following the official visit of Prime Minister of Belarus Mikhail Myasnikovich to Vietnam.

The press release confirms the determination of the two countries to strengthen the traditions of friendship between the two peoples, expand political contacts and the bilateral trade, as well as economic, sci-tech, military, humanitarian cooperation. The two countries express their willingness to continue constructive cooperation on the international arena. Belarus and Vietnam are satisfied with the results of bilateral contacts and visits on various levels, including on the highest level. The fulfillment of the arrangements reached by the presidents of the two countries during the 2008 and 2010 visits gave a powerful impetus to the bilateral cooperation.

According to the press release, the heads of government of Belarus and Vietnam will coordinate the bilateral relations with the help of intergovernmental commissions. Therefore, the parties have agreed on holding regular sessions of Belarus-Vietnam commissions for trade and economic, sci-tech and military cooperation.

The Prime Minister of Belarus and his Vietnamese counterpart praised the legal framework of the bilateral relations and agreed to expand it in the future. The parties welcomed the conclusion of new cooperation documents in education, labor migration and legal field.

The heads of government emphasized the interest in deepening trade and economic cooperation. They welcomed new contracts to supply Belarus’ potash fertilizers, quarry machines, machine sets for trucks, tractors and tires to Vietnam and the opening of MAZ Office in this country.

The parties acknowledged the need to assemble more MAZ vehicles on the basis of the Vietnamese corporation BEAM. There are plans to launch the assembly of engines with the participation of Minsk Motor Plant, use more MTZ and BelAZ equipment to implement agricultural projects, extract mineral resources in Vietnam, and penetrate markets of third countries. The two states will encourage Belarusian companies and organizations to explore mineral deposits in Vietnam. Belarus is likely to expand the import of traditional Vietnamese agricultural products, seafood, rubber, pharmaceuticals. There are plans to open a joint dairy using Belarusian raw materials and technologies in Vietnam. Joint ventures to process Vietnamese coffee and tea will be opened in Belarus. The two countries will implement joint projects with the participation of the Vietnamese corporation Viettel. Belarus and Vietnam want to take necessary measures at the government level to create favorable conditions for the cooperation in aforementioned industries.

The prime ministers support proposals of Belarusian and Vietnamese officials and businessmen to forge business ties, facilitate mutual payments and goods delivery terms. There are plans to open service and backup centers for equipment, adopt plans of joint activities on the markets of third countries.

Interbank cooperation will be further developed in a bid to enhance fiscal support for bilateral trading projects and agreements.

Vietnam promised to consider Belarus’ proposal to revise import tariffs for Belarusian tires and car parts imported to Vietnam.

The sides agreed to promote cooperation between the chambers of commerce and industry and other business associations, arrange a regular exchange of business delegations, exhibitions and fairs. The parties welcomed the decision to hold the 7th meeting of the Belarus-Vietnam joint commission on sci-tech cooperation and study a possibility to set up in Vietnam a joint center to develop and implement technologies in instrument and mechanic engineering, energy and chemical products between the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus and the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology.

The Prime Ministers of Belarus and Vietnam praised the bilateral cooperation in education and spoke for its further expansion.

The Premiers support the Belarusian-Vietnamese regional cooperation, in particular between Minsk and Hanoi as well as Minsk and Ho Chi Minh.

To promote cooperation between Belarus and Vietnam, the parties will consider easing visa requirements for citizens of the two countries.

Vietnam highly appreciated the efforts of Belarus to create an enabling environment for the Vietnamese Diaspora in Belarus, to strengthen the traditionally friendly relations between the two countries.

Vietnam welcomed the intention of Belarus to appoint Belarus’ Honorary Consul in Ho Chi Minh soon.

The Governments of Belarus and Vietnam noted that the countries hold similar views and positions on international and regional issues, confirmed the willingness to cooperate closely within the framework of the United Nations, other international organizations, of which they are members, in accordance with the approaches reflected in the Joint Declaration of the Presidents of the two countries signed in Minsk in May 2010.

Vietnam highly values the role and place of Belarus in integration processes within the framework of the Customs Union of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States. The parties confirm their determination to the early commencement of negotiations on establishing a free trade zone between the Customs Union of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia and Vietnam.

Belarus highly appreciates the contribution of Vietnam to peace, stability and development in South-East Asia, as well as the country’s successful Presidency in ASEAN in 2010. Vietnam confirms its readiness to assist Belarus in developing cooperation with ASEAN countries.