Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli left Hanoi on October 27, concluding his four-day official visit to Vietnam, the first made by a head of State of Panama since the two countries established diplomatic ties in 1975.

While in Vietnam, the Panamanian President held talks with President Truong Tan Sang, met the Party, National Assembly and Government leaders and witnessed the signing of a cultural cooperation agreement between the two countries and a memorandum of understanding on the establishment of a political reference mechanism between the two foreign ministries.

At the meetings, the Vietnamese Party and State leader affirmed that Vietnam wishes to develop friendship and cooperation with Panama and asked the Panamanian Government to continue encouraging and creating favourable conditions for its businesses to invest in Vietnam .

They proposed that Panamanian leaders support Vietnamese firms in their bids to invest in the Latin American country in ship building and maintenance services, for-export products, as well as open door for made-in-Vietnam goods.

They suggested both sides continue their coordination and mutual support at international and regional forums.

President Ricardo Martinelli highly valued Vietnam’s position and achievements in its national development and affirmed that his country wishes to boost cooperation with Vietnam in trade-investment, agriculture, finance-banking, insurance, science-technology, fight against trans-national crimes, culture, education-training and tourism.

He said Panama is willing to serve as a bridge for Vietnamese goods to further penetrate the Latin America market. He asked Vietnam to share its experience in rice and coffee growing and encouraged Vietnamese investors to join in Panama ’s canal development project.

Both sides agreed on measures to promote bilateral cooperation in the coming time, including exchange of delegations at all levels and people-to-people exchange.

The Panamanian side announced its plan to open regional maritime representative offices in the northern port city of Hai Phong and Ho Chi Minh City .

The Panamanian President laid wreaths at the Martyr’s Monument and the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, attended a meeting with both countries’ businesses and visited several historic and cultural establishment.-VNA