Deputy Prime Minister Truong Vinh Trong received visiting General Tariq Majid, Chairman of the Pakistani Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, in Hanoi on Aug. 5.

Deputy PM Trong expressed his thanks to the Pakistan government and people for their support of Vietnam ’s national liberation and unification.

Based upon their long-standing friendship and cooperation, the two countries’ defence ministries should enhance joint efforts in search and rescue activities and disaster relief.

Pakistan values the development of cooperation with Southeast Asian countries, and appreciates Vietnam ’s role in the bloc, General Tariq Majid said.

He also expressed his pleasure at the development of two-way trade ties between Vietnam and Pakistan , the value of which has increased 16 times over the last nine years.

He also said he believed that bilateral cooperation will be expanded to agriculture, health, ecology and national defence.

The same day, the Pakistani General held talks with Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Khac Nghien, chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army, and paid a courtesy visit to Defence Minister Phung Quang Thanh./.