Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong hosted a reception for visiting President of the Republic of Panama Alberto Martinelli in Hanoi on October 25.

At the reception, Trong highly valued the visit of President Ricardo Martinelli, the first by a head of State of Panama to Vietnam, considering it an important milestone to further develop the two countries’ multi-faceted cooperation.

The Party leader spoke highly of the results of talks between President Martinelli and his Vietnamese counterpart Truong Tan Sang, especially specific orientations and measures to boost bilateral relations in the fields of economics, trade and maritime transport.

Martinelli said his visit will create an important momentum to strengthen the two countries’ relations.

The two sides agreed to strengthen exchange activities and experience sharing between the two ruling parties, parliaments and peoples in the time to come.

The same day, the Panamanian President was received by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, who said that the results of Vietnam-Panama multi-faceted cooperation have contributed to the common development of the two countries. However, the development has yet to match the two countries’ potentials and aspirations, he added.

PM Dung suggested that the two sides should continue implementing effectively measures to promote their multi-faceted ties, firstly in economics, trade, investment and tourism. He urged the signing of the Vietnam-Panama Trade-Investment Cooperation Agreement, and the establishment of a cooperative committee between the two governments.

For his part, Martinelli affirmed that Panama will do its utmost to work with Vietnam to implement effectively the proposals of Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, especially the signing of the Vietnam-Panama Trade-Investment Cooperation Agreement by the end of 2012.

He expressed his hopes that Vietnam will support Panama at regional and international forums, as well as share experiences in the fields that Vietnam holds the advantages, including rice and coffee production. In return, Panama is willing to cooperate and share experiences with Vietnam in wharf and port construction.

Also on Oct. 25, at a meeting with the Panamanian President, National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung said that he is pleased with the development of the two countries’ fine friendship and cooperation in all fields, suggesting that the two sides need to coordinate to raise bilateral trade turnover, and further speed up cooperation in the fields of agriculture, science and technology, culture and health care, as well as support each other at multi-lateral forums.

On the occasion, the NA leader also invited the President of the Panama National Assembly to make an official visit to Vietnam.

The Panamanian President expressed his pleasure at the results of his visit, including the signing of some important cooperation agreements, which will create a premise to boost the countries’ economic ties.

He stressed that with its geographical advantage, Panama is willing to be a bridge to promote Vietnam ’s goods export into the Latin American market.-VNA