Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) and Israeli Ambassador Nadav Eshcar at the meeting in Hanoi on October 7 (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister NguyenXuan Phuc received Israeli Ambassador Nadav Eshcar in Hanoi on October 7,expressing his hope that Israel will assist Vietnam in innovation and start-upfacilitation.
The host leader said he is impressed withIsrael’s development, especially in terms of economy, agriculture andscience-technology, which has helped turn the West Asian country with limitednatural resources into a strong economy with developed science-technology inthe world.
Affirming that Vietnam attaches importance tothe cooperation with Israel, PM Phuc expressed his delight at the strides inbilateral relations, particularly in trade, agriculture, science-technology andsecurity-defence, making Israel one of the important partners of Vietnam in theMiddle East.
He also highly valued the ambassador’scontributions to the multifaceted ties between the two countries.
For his part, Eshcar said Vietnam has done agood job of COVID-19 prevention and control and it is a role model in thisregard, noting that his country admires and wishes to learn from the SoutheastAsian nation’s experience as it is witnessing a second outbreak of thecoronavirus.
According to the diplomat, the two countrieshold much potential for enhancing cooperation in agriculture, technology andwater management since Israel is experienced in applying modern technology indrought response and agriculture.
They can also boost connections in other sphereslike cybersecurity and aviation technology, he suggested.
He voiced his hope that the two sides will soontake final steps to sign a bilateral free trade agreement and open a direct airroute between Hanoi and Tel Aviv, thus promoting bilateral exchange, trade andinvestment.
Agreeing the ambassador’s view, PM Phuc saidthere remains much room for their countries’ cooperation.
The Government leader recommended that whenpossible, Vietnam and Israel should organise delegation exchanges andcooperation mechanisms such as meetings of the joint committee and politicalconsultations between their foreign ministries.
They need to work harder to raise bilateraltrade by two-three times by 2025, step up trade promotion activities, encourageIsraeli businesses to take part in exhibitions and fairs held in Vietnam, andassist Vietnamese firms to carry out promotion activities in Israel, he stressed.
Besides, they should also accelerate thenegotiations on the bilateral free trade agreement, the PM said, asking Israelto help Vietnam in the fields of innovation and start-up while welcoming itsenterprises’ investment in these areas.
At the meeting, PM Phuc said Vietnam prioritisesdeveloping agriculture in the time ahead, especially hi-tech application inthis sector.
He applauded recent cooperation activities insharing experience in water resource management and use, which he said is afield Israel has strength in and Vietnam has demand for and they need to keepbolstering partnership in.
Valuing the outcomes of the countries’agricultural internship programme, he suggested Israel receive moreagricultural interns from Vietnam, adding that 635 Vietnamese have come toIsrael under this programme in 2020.
The host voiced his support for the earlysigning of a protocol amending the air transport agreement between the twogovernments and the opening of a direct air route, which he believes will makebilateral investment, trade and exchange more vibrant.
He also called on both sides to step upnegotiations of a bilateral agreement on labour cooperation and foster ties ineducation-training among their academies and universities by exchanginglecturers and students and granting scholarships for each other’s students.
On this occasion, PM Phuc congratulated Israelon its signing of an agreement to normalise relations with the UAE, adding thathe hopes this will contribute to peace and stability in the Middle East./.
VNA
