New Ambassador of Algeria Mohamed Berrah has said the strengthening of bilateral economic, trade and investment cooperation with a focus on fisheries and infrastructure is the top priority of his tenure in Vietnam.

Meeting Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung in Hanoi on April 6, the Ambassador proposed holding business forums, trade fairs and cultural weeks to popularise their respective countries among their peoples.

He said Algeria would invite Vietnam as a guest of honour at the 2016 Algiers International Fair, a prestigious event bringing together numerous countries.

Algeria is willing to be a gateway for Vietnam to enter the African market, he emphasised.

The ambassador advocated mutual support at international forums and organisations for the sake of peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world, as well as the settlement of disputes by peaceful means in line with international law.

He also pledged visa issuance support to Vietnamese workers seeking jobs in Algeria.

The PM, for his part, asked for more vibrant activities within the Inter-governmental Cooperation Committee as well as closer joint work between the Vietnamese and Algerian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, laying a solid groundwork for stronger partnership across trade, investment, oil and gas and tourism.

The government leader suggested facilitating business visits, people-to-people exchange and the launch of a direct flight between the two countries.

The host also hoped for more assistance to the Vietnamese community, including 500 workers, in Algeria.-VNA