(Dan Tri) – Canada’s Deputy Foreign Minister David Morrison outlined achievements in relations with Vietnam over the past 50 years, expressing his desire to promote bilateral cooperation to become even stronger.
Canadian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs David Morrison and Deputy Foreign Minister Ha Kim Ngoc placed a brick on the floor of Canada’s new embassy in Hanoi (Photo: Duc Hoang).
`Canada is proud to have had its embassy headquarters on Hung Vuong Street near the historic Ba Dinh Square since 1994. During that time, Canada has had the honor of witnessing enormous changes in Vietnam.
The ceremony was attended by high-ranking officials from the two countries, representatives of ministries, departments, branches and organizations of both Canada and Vietnam.
`Our two countries have achieved enormous achievements in recent times. In 2017, the two countries established a Comprehensive Partnership, which is a solid foundation for the two countries to expand relations and strengthen cooperation.`
Vietnam has been Canada’s leading trading partner in ASEAN since 2015. With the implementation of the CPTPP agreement, bilateral trade between the two countries has grown strongly.
`In November last year, Canada announced the Indo-Pacific strategy. Through this strategy, Canada commits to increasing its presence in Vietnam and the region. We allocate more resources and tools
The facility will feature a modern, sustainable, eco-friendly, accessible space, located in the heart of a dynamic district.
The Canadian diplomat said that the new embassy on Lieu Giai street is expected to come into operation by the end of 2024. He expressed his hope that Canada and Vietnam will continue to promote increasingly strong relations.
Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ha Kim Ngoc recalled memories related to the Canadian embassy headquarters in Hanoi for nearly 30 years.
`I still remember at that time, Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chrétien and Foreign Minister Nguyen Manh Cam personally cut the ribbon to open the Canadian embassy headquarters on Hung Vuong Street in November 1994 on the occasion of their first visit.
This event opened a series of important milestones between Vietnam and Canada in the following years.
Deputy Minister Ha Kim Ngoc commented that the groundbreaking ceremony for the new headquarters of the Canadian embassy in Hanoi took place on the occasion of the two countries celebrating the 50th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations, an extremely meaningful time.
The two countries have achieved achievements in bilateral relations, demonstrating the great and tireless efforts of the two countries to move towards a new trajectory in closer and more effective relations.
Mr. Ha Kim Ngoc pointed out bright spots in the cooperation between the two countries in defense, security, trade, politics, education, training, local cooperation, people’s diplomacy, and environmental protection.
He described the relationship between the two countries as having achieved many `fragrant flowers and sweet fruits` over the years, and expressed confidence that the future of cooperation between the two sides will increasingly develop.
The new embassy is environmentally friendly, aiming for sustainable development
Canadian Ambassador to Vietnam Shawn Steil talks to the press (Photo: Duc Hoang).
Sharing with the media, Mr. Shawn Steil, Canadian Ambassador to Vietnam, said that this country plans to use environmentally friendly materials, close to nature to complete the construction of the new embassy, aiming to
In addition, Canada wants to build a friendly environment and space and ensure the health of employees working in this facility.
During construction, Canada will try to use local contractors.
In addition, Ambassador Steil emphasized that Canada considers Vietnam to be the focus of the Indo-Pacific strategy, in all five key areas including security, development cooperation, trade, environment and
The diplomat shared plans to strengthen cooperation with Vietnam in the future.
Ambassador Steil also expressed optimism when mentioning the prospects for economic cooperation between Canada and Vietnam this year and next, saying that the two countries have great potential to achieve bigger and more ambitious goals.
According to the Ambassador, two-way trade turnover between Vietnam and Canada in 2022 will grow significantly compared to 2021, at 30%.
He emphasized that although the world has faced economic fluctuations in the past year, the consumption index in Canada is very high, meaning Canadians still spend money to buy goods, including Vietnamese goods.