Vietnam and Brunei Pledge to Deepen Bilateral Cooperation
Hà Nội, The Gulf Observer: Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam, Bùi Thanh Sơn, hosted a productive meeting with Second Minister of Foreign Affairs of Brunei, Dato Pehin Erywan Yusof, in Hà Nội on April 23. Dato Pehin Erywan Yusof’s visit to Vietnam coincided with his attendance at the ASEAN Future Forum 2024, further cementing the strong ties between the two nations within the ASEAN framework.
Both officials expressed satisfaction with the positive trajectory of the Vietnam-Brunei Comprehensive Partnership and pledged to enhance cooperation through various means, including facilitating high-level visits. They emphasized the significance of preparations for the forthcoming visit to Vietnam by the Sultan of Brunei, underscoring the importance of fostering bilateral ties at the highest levels.
During the meeting, the necessity of convening the third session of the Vietnam-Brunei Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation was highlighted to evaluate the overall bilateral relationship and ensure the effective implementation of agreements, particularly those established during Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính’s official visit to Brunei in February 2023.
Minister Bùi Thanh Sơn proposed accelerating cooperation in key areas such as oil and gas, chemicals, Halal products, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges. He further advocated for strengthening cooperation in food security, agriculture, fisheries, finance, trade, economy, investment, and education.
In response, Minister Dato Pehin Erywan Yusof endorsed Sơn’s proposals and suggested expanding collaboration in potential sectors such as oil and gas, agriculture, and tourism, including initiatives like the “6 countries, 1 destination” campaign. Both sides affirmed their commitment to enhancing cooperation in national defense, education, scholarships, and short-term student exchanges.
Addressing global and regional concerns, they reaffirmed support for Laos as it assumed the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2024 and pledged to accelerate the ASEAN Community Vision 2045. They also committed to upholding ASEAN’s unity and centrality in addressing regional issues, including maintaining a common stance on the East Sea and advancing the implementation of ASEAN’s Five-Point Consensus on the Myanmar issue.
In a separate session with ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn, Minister Bùi Thanh Sơn advocated for enhancing the effectiveness of the ASEAN Secretariat and strengthening dialogue relations between ASEAN and its partners. Secretary-General Kao expressed support for Vietnam’s initiatives and pledged collaboration to ensure the success of Vietnam’s coordinator roles for ASEAN’s relations with South Korea, the UK, and New Zealand.
