Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and his Estonian counterpart Andrus Ansip have agreed on specific measures to promote friendly and cooperative relations in various fields.

The two PMs reached consensus at their talks, in Hanoi on Nov. 7 following a welcome ceremony that took place earlier on the same day.

The two sides agreed to enhance the exchange of high-ranking delegations, consider the establishment of the Vietnam-Estonia Joint Committee for Economic Cooperation, sign a number of cooperation documents, including an economic cooperation agreement, an agreement on double taxation avoidance and prevention of tax evasion and an agreement on cooperation in education and training.

Both sides were unanimous in facilitating their businesses’ investment and cooperation activities.

The two sides exchanged views on international and regional issues of mutual concern and agreed to boost cooperation and provide mutual support to each other at multilateral forums and international organisations, including the United Nations and the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM).

PM Dung proposed Vietnam and Estonia work closer together to effectively organise the 20 th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic ties in 2012.

Progress has been made in economic cooperation between the two countries over recent years although it remains modest, said Dung. Two-way trade reached only more than 10 million USD in 2010, he said, suggesting the two countries take measures to boost bilateral ties in the field.

Vietnam exports to Estonia farm products, cashew nuts, coffee and garment and textiles, and imports from the European country wooden furniture, chemicals and other items.

PM Dung highlighted Estonian businesses’ activeness in seeking investment opportunities in Vietnam .

He urged the two sides to discuss for the early signing of related agreements and have mechanisms and policies to encourage investment in infrastructure construction, biotechnology, information technology, and establishment of joint ventures.

The PM said he hoped the two countries will increase bilateral cooperation in education and training.

He proposed Estonia create favourable conditions for Vietnamese students to study in Estonia and affirmed that Vietnam is ready to receive Estonian students to study in Vietnam .

PM Dung suggested the two sides soon reach consensus on visa exemption for diplomatic passport holders. He highly valued Estonia ’s stance and viewpoints of supporting bids to settle East Sea issues through peaceful solutions on the basis of international laws.

Dung’s views were shared by his Estonian counterpart, who called on the two sides to enhance cooperation in economics, trade and investment, which, he said, will serve as a foundation to boost cooperative relations in other areas.

PM Andrus Ansip expressed his hope that the Vietnamese Government will create favourable conditions for Estonian enterprises to invest in the country, especially in transport infrastructure development, sea ports, electronics, e-commerce and telecommunications.

He affirmed Estonia ’s support for Vietnam ’s efforts to boost comprehensive cooperation with the European Union and the country’s status as a market economy.

The PM Andrus Ansip invited his Vietnamese counterpart to visit his country and the latter accepted the invitation with pleasure. The schedule for the visit will be made through the diplomatic channel.

Following the talks, the two PMs witnessed the signing of the protocol on cooperation between the two Foreign Ministries and met with the press.

Later on the day, PM Dung hosted a banquet for PM Andrus Ansip and his entourage.

The same day, PM Ansip was received by State President Truong Tan Sang, who affirmed that Vietnam always attaches importance to friendship and traditional cooperation between Vietnam and Estonia .

President Sang thanked Estonia for training many Vietnamese students and proposed the two countries boost cooperation at international forums, accelerate the exchange of visits and set up direct relations between ministries of the two sides.

President Sang also expressed his wish that Estonia will assist Vietnam to boost relations with the EU.

PM Ansip praised Vietnam ’s investment environment and the quality of its human resource.

He said that Estonia and Vietnam should take have measures to increase two-way trade to match the two countries’ potential. He expressed his belief that bilateral relations will be developed to a new height.

While meeting with the Estonian PM in Hanoi , National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung affirmed that the Vietnamese parliament always pays attention to boosting cooperation with parliaments of traditional friends, including Estonia .

Chairman Hung said Vietnam wishes to cooperate with Estonia in all fields and is ready to be a bridge to boost cooperation between Estonia and ASEAN countries.

He suggested the two parliaments accelerate the exchange of experiences in law making, supervision and application of information technology to increase their operation efficiency.

PM Ansip said that Estonia supports the development of trade between Vietnam and the EU and that Estonian investors are operating effectively in Vietnam . He expressed his wish that the two countries will speed up trade and investment projects to tap their potential./.