Vietnam wishes to step up the friendship and cooperation with Papua New Guinea, President Truong Tan Sang confirmed at his meeting with Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O’neill in Beijing, China, on November 10.

During the meeting that took place on the sidelines of the 22th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting, the leaders discussed measures to bolster bilateral ties.

Exchanging visits all levels, organising businesses’ meetings, and negotiating and signing agreements were identified among the measures that will help accelerate the two countries’ economic, trade, investment and energy links.

The leaders reached a consensus on furthering bilateral cooperation at multilateral forums while pushing for closer coordination within APEC, especially when Vietnam and Papua New Guinea will host the APEC Year in 2017 and 2018, respectively.

Vietnam and Papua New Guinea established diplomatic relations on November 3, 1989.-VNA