Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung met with Uzbekistani President Islam Karimov and Chairman of the Uzbekistani Senate Ilgizar Sobirov in Tashkent on Oct. 3 during his three-day official visit to the country.

At his meeting with the Uzbekistani President, PM Dung emphasised Vietnam’s consistent policy of consolidating and developing its time-honoured friendly relationship and multifaceted cooperation with Uzbekistan.

The PM proposed the two countries promote the exchange of delegations at all levels in future to increase mutual understanding and create a momentum for their cooperation.

He informed his host of results of this talks with his Uzbekistani counterpart, Shavkat Mirziyoyev that took place in a constructive, open atmosphere of mutual understanding.

PM Dung affirmed that the Vietnamese Government will create favourable conditions for Uzbekistani businesses to invest in Vietnam and asked Uzbekistani President Islam Karimov to continue supporting and facilitating Vietnamese business activities in Uzbekistan, particularly in oil and gas exploration and exploitation, agroforestry and seafood products, garment and textiles, footwear and cotton.

President Islam Karimov said that agreements reached between the two sides will make important contributions to consolidating and developing the traditional friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation between Vietnam and Uzbekistan.

The Uzbekistani President spoke highly of the Vietnam National Oil and Gas Group’s effective operations in his country and confirmed his support for the two countries’ cooperation in the field.

Meeting with Chairman of the Uzbekistani Senate Ilgizar Sobirov the same day, PM Dung affirmed the two countries’ political and diplomatic relations had seen fine development recently.

He expressed hope that the two parliaments will increase the exchange of experiences in law-making activities, thus boosting their bilateral ties and contributing to fostering relations between the two countries.

He also asked the parliament to give necessary legal assistance so that cooperative agreements that have been signed between the two sides are implemented soon.

Senate Chairman Sobirov said that bilateral economic, trade and investment cooperation remains modest, not matching with the potentials and aspirations of the two sides.

He proposed the two countries increase cooperation in trade and investment promotion activities, facilitate the operation of each other’s businesses and support export-import activities between the two sides. He pledged favourable conditions to implement agreements signed by the two nations.

He also said he hoped the two legislatures to promote exchanges of experience, thus strengthening their cooperation to contribute to developing the traditional friendship between Vietnam and Uzbekistan.

The same day, PM Dung received President of the Uzbekistan-Vietnam Friendship Association Tursunali Kuziev, representatives of the Russian Oil and Gas Group and laid a wreath at the Independence and Humanity Monument in Tashkent.

On evening the same day, PM Shavkat Mirziyoyev hosted a banquet to his counterpart Dung, his wife and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation./.