Viet Nam - Belarus Joint Communique
Minsk, Oct. 15 (VNA) -- Viet Nam and Belarus issued in Minsk on Tuesday a joint communique at the end of the visit to Belarus by General Secretary Nong Duc Manh of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee from Oct.13-15, 2002.
Following is the full text of the communique:
At the invitation of President Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Nong Duc Manh paid an official visit to Belarus during October 13-15, 2002.
General Secretary Nong Duc Manh held talks with Belorussian President Alexander Lukashenko; had meetings with President of the Senate A. Voytovich, Chairman of the House of Representatives V.A. Popop, and First Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Sidorsky; and visited Minsk Auto factory and the Khatun Memorial.
Celebrating the 10th anniversary of the two countries' diplomatic ties, prompted by the common desire for further strengthening the traditional friendship and cooperation for mutual benefits on the basis of the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam and the Republic of Belarus on April 24, 1997 and the Viet Nam-Belarus Joint Statement on August 31, 1998, aware that the bilateral cooperation meets the long-term interests of the two peoples and promotes international peace and security, and determined to multiply the positive achievements recorded in bilateral relations, the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam and the Republic of Belarus jointly announce the following points:
The two sides consider each other as a friendly nation and affirmed that they will continue to further develop their bilateral relations in accordance with the UN Charter and on the principles of mutual respect, respect for each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-interference into each other's internal affairs, equality, mutual benefits and the common standards of international law.
The two sides affirmed that they respect each other's policies and the path each has chosen for its own national development.
The two sides will continue to maintain the present high level of political dialogue, including summit meetings.
The Vietnamese side welcomes Belarus's achievements in socio-economic development and supports its efforts to ensure its sovereignty, security and national interests through developing equitable cooperation with other countries in the international community on the principles and standards of international law.
The Belorussian side supports the renovation policy of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam and its positive stance on the settlement of international and regional issues.
The Vietnamese side highly values the efforts made by the Republic of Belarus to create favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community living in Belarus, which vividly reflects the friendship and cooperation between the two countries.
The two sides expressed their interest in an early signing of a free trade agreement and other agreements on bilateral cooperation between Viet Nam and Belarus.
The two sides agreed to expand contacts between State bodies, deepen the cooperation between the two National Assemblies and accelerate ties between political and social organisations.
The two sides affirmed their interest in expanding bilateral economic and commercial ties and advocated further tapping the potential for cooperation in promising areas, including machine manufacturing, petrochemicals, agriculture, science and technology, post, transport and communications, education and culture.
The two sides underlined the need to seek new measures for accelerating the exchange of goods between the two countries and agreed to step up the operation of the Viet Nam-Belarus Inter-governmental Commission for Economic, Commercial, Scientific and Technological Cooperation.
The two sides will urge their businessmen to form joint ventures, 100 percent foreign-owned enterprises and other forms of investment.
They acknowledged their close stands on important international issues; supported the maintenance and consolidation of the United Nations' leading role in international affairs, and the prevention of plots and actions which run counter to the UN Charter as well as the principles and standards of international law; and supported concerted efforts of all members of the world community in settling global issues.
The two sides condemned terrorism in all forms and its expressions, supported the world community's concerted efforts in combating this global threat within the United Nations framework, and protested the abuse of anti-terrorism to interfere into other countries' internal affairs.
The two sides held that challenges of the 21st century can only be surmounted by the world community's collective endeavours while taking into consideration each country's national characteristics and identity and respecting the independence, national sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations.
The two sides asserted that the official visit to Belarus by General Secretary Nong Duc Manh of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee creates an important driving force for boosting bilateral relations and constructive coordination between the two countries on common international issues.
Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh expressed thanks to President Alexander Lukashenko and the Government of Belarus for their warm welcome and hospitality.
Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh invited President Alexander Lukashenko to officially visit Viet Nam at an appropriate time.
President Alexander Lukashenco accepted the invitation with thanks. The time for the visit will be arranged through diplomatic channels.
