Vietnam and Morocco agreed to bring bilateral trade to 100 million USD by 2012 during a meeting of the Vietnam-Morocco Joint Committee and the third political consultation between the two foreign ministries in Hanoi, on May 23-24.

Both sides stressed the need to increase the exchange of delegations at all levels, closely work and provide mutual support at regional and international forums, and promote cooperation in economics, education, culture, tourism and transport.

They also agreed on early signing of agreements on investment encouragement and protection, and tourism cooperation, creating a legal basis for long-term cooperation between Vietnam and Morocco .

During their meetings, the two sides noted with pleasure the development in the friendship and multifaceted cooperation between the two countries in recent years. The two foreign ministries worked as a bridge in promoting relations and have been working closely in bilateral cooperation as well as at international forums.

Deputy Foreign Minister Hung, Head of the Vietnamese subcommittee, said the Government and people of Vietnam treasured traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation in political, economic, trade and education areas with African countries, including Morocco .

To maintain the mechanism for cooperation with African countries, the Government of Vietnam held the second Vietnam-Africa international workshop in August 2010, Hung said.

The move reflected the political will and resolve of the Vietnamese leaders and people in promoting cooperation with Africa, including Morocco , he said.

Vietnam highly valued Morocco’s positive role for regional integration initiatives, said Hung, stressing that in its role as one of founding members of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Morocco would continue to support, help and protect developing countries.

Moroccan Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Latifa Akharbach congratulated Vietnam on its successful organisation of the 11 th National Party Congress and the election of 13 th National Assembly.

She spoke highly of Vietnam ’s socio-economic achievements and expressed her wish to increase friendship and multifaceted cooperation with the Southeast Asian nation.

The two head delegates also discussed regional and international issues of common concern and signed the minutes on the second Vietnam-Morocco Joint Committee meeting./.