PM Phuc receives chairman of Kazakhstan’s lower house

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has proposed that Vietnam and Kazakhstan substantially review the implementation of the Vietnam-Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) Free Trade Agreement and work out measures to continue implementing the deal in a more effective manner.

The Government leader made the remark during his reception in Hanoi on November 14 for Nurlan Nigmatulin, Chairman of the Mazhilis (lower house) of the Parliament of Kazakhstan – one of the five EAEU member nations.

He noted that the implementation of the Vietnam-EAEU FTA has brought positive changes in economic, trade and investment cooperation between the two countries, with two-way trade increasing from more than US$200 million in 2017 to US$268 million in 2018, and predicted to exceed the 2018 figure this year.

The host voiced his delights at the achievements Kazakhstan has obtained over recent times, affirming that Nigmatulin’s Vietnam visit would open a new chapter in relations between the two countries, especially in the fields of trade and investment cooperation.

PM Phuc suggested the two sides maintain the exchange of all-level delegations and high-level meetings, contributing to consolidating mutual trust and understanding and creating an impetus to boost bilateral cooperation.

He asked Kazakhstan to actively support the maintenance of peace, stability and development, as well as to back the handling of disputes via peaceful means, diplomatic negotiations and respect for international law.

In addition, the two sides should further enhance cooperation in some other potential fields, such as agriculture, education-training, science-technology, culture, sports and tourism, contributing to accelerating bilateral relations, the PM recommended.

For his part, Nurlan Nigmatulin congratulated Vietnam on its significant socio-economic achievements, especially the country’s maintaining its economic growth at a high level, stating that Vietnam is an important partner of Kazakhstan in Southeast Asia.

The guest said he had successful talks with Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan earlier on the same day, during which the two sides agreed to create the most favourable conditions for the acceleration of relations between the two countries.

He also emphasised the importance of the Vietnam-EAEU FTA in enhancing Vietnam-Kazakhstan cooperation, affirming that the Kazakh parliament will prioritise and provide the best legal support possible in order to boost bilateral trade connection.

Expressing his impression on Vietnam becoming a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2020-2021, Nigmatulin asserted that the two sides would coordinate closely in international forums.

He hailed Vietnam’s assumption of the ASEAN Chairmanship 2020 as a favourable condition for the reinforcement of the cooperation between the two countries.

Source: NDO