President Truong Tan Sang hosted a reception in Hanoi on November 28 for Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister Demeke Mekonnen, who is also Vice Chairman of the ruling Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF).

The Vietnamese leader said the time-honoured relations between Vietnam and Ethiopia are a prerequisite for the countries to foster their bilateral cooperation, especially in fields of their strength.

He suggested affiliation in telecommunications, infrastructure construction, and agro-forestry-fishery processing. Both sides should conduct thorough surveys, sign agreements on trade and investment, organise joint goods fairs, and consider opening a direct air route to facilitate all-round cooperation, he said.

Regarding the collaboration between the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) and the EPRDF, President Truong Tan Sang said Vietnam is willing to ink cooperation deals and share its experience, including in personnel training.

For his part, Demeke Mekonnen congratulated Vietnam on its renewal attainments, adding that with similarities in history and poverty reduction, both countries can exchange experience in national development.

Welcoming the host’s recommendations, the Ethiopian official voiced his wish for further cooperation between the two Parties.

Giving a brief on the outcomes of his working sessions with Vietnamese ministries and agencies, he said it is the right time for both countries to beef up their relations in three channels, including the Party, Government, and people. He also suggested Vietnam and Ethiopia open embassies in each other as soon as possible.

The Deputy PM also pledged the best possible conditions for foreign investors, including those from Vietnam, while proposing collaboration in environment and hydropower plant issues.

The same day, Demeke Mekonnen had a meeting with deputy head of the CPV Central Committee’s Commission for Organisation Nguyen Ngoc Lam.-VNA