The Governor of the southeastern Mexican state of Tabasco, Nunez Jimenez, has said the region wishes to expand cooperation with Vietnamese localities in areas of potential.

During a meeting with Vietnamese Ambassador to Mexico , Le Thanh Tung, in the Tabascan capital of Villahermosa on May 12, Governor Jimenez stated that the two sides share many similarities, especially in climate.

Vietnam , with its experience in rice cultivation and trading and aquatic farming, could help Tabasco restore its traditional agricultural sectors, he said.

The Governor also briefed his host on some state projects involving rice production and banana farming.

Ambassador Tung thanked the Mexican people for their support and praised Governor Jimenez in particular for having contributed to Vietnam ’s current process of national construction.

He noted that two-way trade between Vietnam and Mexico exceeded 1.6 billion USD in 2013, providing a firm foundation for them to boost their partnership further.

He invited Jimenez to visit Vietnam soon to identify suitable areas of cooperation. Meanwhile, the pair agreed to commence procedures twinning Tabasco state and one Vietnamese locality.

Speaking to the local media following the meeting, Ambassador Tung mentioned China ’s illegal placement of its oil rig deep inside Vietnam ’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf.

The move seriously violates Vietnam ’s sovereignty, he said, stressing that the dangerous act also infringes international law, the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea to which China is a signatory.

This is a hazardous risk and precedent that threatens peace, stability, maritime security and safety in the East Sea , he underscored.

The diplomat reiterated that Vietnam has practiced utmost restraint, exhausting all dialogue channels to communicate with the Chinese authorities at different levels to demand that China immediately withdraw its drilling rig and armed and military vessels from Vietnam ’s waters.

Vietnam is determined to protect its sovereignty and legitimate interests by taking all necessary measures in accordance with international law, he said.

Ambassador Tung also called on countries around the world to protest China ’s provocative act.-VNA