Vietnam and Ukraine have committed to further promoting multi-faceted bilateral cooperation with the aim of bringing into play their potentials.

This was stated in a Vietnam-Ukraine joint statement, which was signed by State President Nguyen Minh Triet and his Ukrainian counterpart Viktor Yanukovych dung the latter’s visit to Vietnam from March 25-27.

During the visit, Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych held talks with State President Nguyen Minh Triet, had meetings with Party General Secretary and National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong and Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.

The joint statement says both countries’ leaders highlighted the two peoples’ traditional friendship and affirmed their will and determination to continue maintaining, consolidating and developing the present partnership.

The two leaders expressed their delight at both sides’ resumption of high-ranking contacts and agreement to maintain regular exchange of delegations at all levels, particularly high-ranking, contributing to the active and efficient development of the two countries’ multi-faceted cooperation and creating a strong impulse to promote bilateral cooperation in politics, economics and trade and other fields.

They highly valued prospects for bilateral cooperation in economics based on both countries’ potentials and economic development demand.

The two affirmed the obedience of pledges within the framework of the World Trade Organisation to protest against protectionism while agreed to promote the conclusion of the Doha negotiation round at the earliest time with the results to meet the maximum benefit of developed countries as well as developing countries. The two sides agreed to consider the possibility for opening a negotiation for bilateral free trade agreement.

The two countries’ leaders said Vietnam and Ukraine could ensure the stable supply of their farm products to the world market. Both sides emphasised the importance of encouraging investment in agriculture, exchange of experiences and technology in the field.

The two sides welcomed the expansion and diversification of cooperation in advanced science and technology, including plane manufacturing, ship building, energy, modern medical facilities manufacturing, mining and conquering space for peace.

Both leaders expressed their readiness to support the increase of effectiveness of the Vietnam-Ukraine Inter-Governmental Committee on Economic, Commercial, Scientific and Technological Cooperation as well as develop other bilateral mechanisms to consolidate cooperation in all fields.

They also affirmed to continue maintaining and boosting cooperation in security-defence.

The Ukrainian President affirmed that Ukraine was ready to continue developing educational cooperation, including new cooperation forms such as opening the Ukraine universities’ branches in Vietnam.

The two countries’ leaders reached unanimity in the importance of teaching and learning Vietnamese and Ukrainian language so as to enhance the two peoples’ mutual understanding.

On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2012, both countries’ leaders decided to organise their cultural days in their respective countries and agreed to assign the two countries’ relevant agencies to carry out these activities on 2011 and 2012.

The two countries’ leaders welcomed the opening of a direct air route between Kiev and Ho Chi Minh City slated for this summer to facilitate the two peoples’ exchange.

The Vietnamese State President and the Ukrainian President reached agreement on continuing to ensure favourable conditions for the two countries’ citizens to live, work and study in Vietnam and Ukraine in accordance with both countries’ laws.

They were aware of the necessity to continue the fight against the global economic crisis to ensure the sustainability and balance of the world economic growth.

The two countries’ leaders recognised the importance of the settlement of global challenges, including climate change, terrorism, drug trafficking, poverty situation and health care issues.

They condemned terrorism in any forms and manifestations although conducted by anyone, in anywhere and with any purposes.

The two affirmed the importance of reducing the nuclear threats and decided to promote joint activities in the disarmament and nonproliferation of nuclear weapons, including making the comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty take effect in the earliest time.

They spoke highly of the cooperation between Vietnam and Ukraine in the United Nations and its bodies.

The Ukrainian President affirmed Ukraine was willing to continue efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals and highlighted Vietnam’s achievements in the field.

He invited Vietnamese State President Nguyen Minh Triet to visit Ukraine at a convenient time. The Vietnamese President accepted the invitation with thanks. The time of the visit will be discussed through diplomatic channel./.