Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has met his Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao after he arrived in Singapore on November 18 to attend the 13th Summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and related meetings.

At the meeting on the morning of November 19, PM Dung affirmed the consistent policy of the Vietnamese Party, Government and people to attach importance to the comprehensive cooperation with China.

The Vietnamese Government leader wished to further promote mutual understanding and trust between the two Parties and countries in line with the motto “friendly neighbourliness, comprehensive cooperation, long-term stability and looking towards the future” and the spirit of “good neighbours, good friends, good comrades and good partners”.

The two PMs expressed their delight at the fine development of the comprehensive cooperation and neighbouring friendship between the two Parties and nations, stressing the regular reciprocal visits of the two countries’ top leaders, the progress in settling territorial border issues and the expansion of the effective exchange of the two countries’ branches, sectors, localities and mass organisations.

On investment cooperation and economic and trade relations, both PMs agreed to seek effective solutions to attain two-way trade value of 15 billion USD in 2010 in which China will export machinery and package equipment to Viet Nam while importing coal, seafood and rubber.

The two PMs reached consensus on finalising a five-year plan on the implementation of an agreement on the expansion of the Viet Nam-China trade and economic cooperation and a memorandum of understanding on the “two corridors, and one economic belt”, especially promoting a number of China’s big projects and effectively spending 500 million USD on Viet Nam’s infrastructural development.

Regarding the border issue, the two PMs agreed to accelerate the demarcation and landmark plantation to be completed in 2008 in accordance with the schedule approved by the two countries’ top leaders.

On the Tonkin Gulf issue, the two sides agreed to continue cooperation in conducting joint surveys of aquatic resources, joint patrols of the two sides’ navy forces, and exploration of oil and gas resource in the Gulf. They also agreed to persevere with negotiations on the demarcation of the area outside the Gulf’s mouth along with discussions on cooperation potential for common development on a scale, content and manner acceptable for both sides.

PM Dung expressed his concern about recently emerging issues related to the East Sea issue and suggested that the two countries seek proper solutions based on the spirit of friendly neighbourliness, comradeship, and mutual trust in order to avoid affecting bilateral relations. He said the two sides should continue exchanging opinions to find out suitable fields and forms of cooperation in disputed and overlapping areas in accordance with international laws, particularly the 1982 Convention on the Law of the Sea of the UN and the Declaration of the Conduct of the Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and with full consultation and consensus with related parties.

PM Wen agreed that the two sides should implement their top leaders’ agreements, cooperate to maintain peace and stability, and keep calm in dealing with emerging issues through solutions acceptable by both sides, so as not to affect bilateral relations.

The two sides also agreed to intensify tripartite cooperation between Viet Nam, China and the Philippines in agreed areas.

PM Dung invited his Chinese counterpart to visit Viet Nam in an appropriate time. PM Wen asked PM Dung to convey his best regards to other Vietnamese leaders.

On November 19 morning, the ASEAN Foreign Ministers adopted draft ASEAN Charter which requires its member nations to maintain a non-nuclear proliferation region, eliminate hunger and reduce poverty, protect the environment and heading towards a unified market for a free circulation of goods, services and investment.

The draft ASEAN Charter also affirms that ASEAN member nations committed to enhancing democracy and good management, increasing jurisdiction, encouraging and protecting human rights and fundamental rights to freedom.

The draft charter is expected to be signed by the ASEAN Government and State leaders on November 20 and to be approved by legislative bodies of ASEAN countries within one year. (VNA)