Vietnam, RoK continue to enhance mutual trust, understanding

The talks took place after a welcome ceremony for RoK President Park Geun-hye who is on a State visit to Vietnam for the first time since she took office in February this year, as a guest of President Truong Tan Sang from September 7-11.

In the spirit of friendship and mutual trust, the two Presidents exchanged views on bilateral relations and regional and international issues of common concern.

The two leaders expressed their delight at the broad and effective development of the friendship and cooperation between the two nations in all fields since the establishment of their diplomatic ties 21 years ago, especially since they set up their strategic co-operative partnership in 2009.

The exchange of high-ranking delegations has taken place regularly while mutual political trust has been consolidated, they said.

Co-operation in economics, trade, Official Development Assistance (ODA), tourism and labour has seen strong development, according to the leaders, who added that the two countries have become an important economic and trade partner to each other.

The two sides agreed to maintain the visits and meetings of their high-ranking leaders as well as officials from the two countries' ministries, agencies and localities, while effectively preserving dialogue mechanisms between them to deepen their relations.

Both host and guest stressed that the two countries need to intensify co-operation in economics and trade, investment, development co-operation, science and technology, employment, environment, culture and education.

They also agreed to make every effort to raise two-way trade to US$70 billion by 2020, improve bilateral trade balance as well as accelerate the negotiations for the signing of the Vietnam-RoK FTA.

They shared the view on the early signing of an agreement on labour co-operation to replace the former which expired in 2012, and agreed to implement the Vietnam-Korean Institute of Science and Technology project (V-KIST).

The two sides were unanimous in to strengthening mutual trust and understanding between the two peoples through diverse exchange activities, including language training, culture and arts, sports and youth exchanges.

They also agreed to continue protecting and ensuring the legitimate rights of their respective citizens while increasing necessary care and support for Vietnam-RoK multi-cultural families so that they can act as a bridge between the two countries.

The two leaders expressed their satisfaction at the two countries' close collaboration and co-operation at multilateral forums and international organisations, such as the UN, the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), and regional co-operation mechanisms including ASEAN-RoK, ASEAN+3, ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS).

They also exchanged views on the Korean peninsula situation and the maintenance of peace and freedom of navigation.

After their talks, the two leaders witnessed the signing of seven co-operation agreements between Vietnam and the RoK, and met with the press on the outcomes of their talks.

The same day, President Park Geun-hye laid a wreath at the President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.

(Source: Nhandannewspaperonline)