Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc greets Haitian Senate President

Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc told President of the Senate of Haiti Youri Latortue during a reception in Hanoi on June 20 that the Vietnamese Government wishes to push forward practical and effective ties with the Haitian Government.

Phuc hailed the first visit by Latortue as opening a new period of reinforcing bilateral parliamentary ties, and expressed his belief that via the visit, both sides will discuss concrete steps to strengthen relations between the two legislatures and governments.

The host lauded the gradual refinement of legal framework and bilateral cooperation mechanism, notably the signing of the government-level framework agreement on trade and investment and the establishment of the Inter-Committee on Economic Cooperation and Investment Protection. The two sides also actively negotiated a cooperation agreement on culture, sports and tourism.

Phuc expressed desire that the two nations will effectively realise signed agreements, including a memorandum of understanding on rice trade signed in December 2012.

Vietnam and Haiti should maintain close liaison at international organisations and multilateral forums, especially at the United Nations, he said, suggesting that further attentions should be paid to partnership across telecommunications, agriculture, construction, tourism infrastructure, culture, energy, electrical equipment, constructional materials and consumer goods.

Latortue, for his part, praised the regular exchange of high-level delegations and collaboration in telecommunications and agriculture.

He said his visit aims to further foster political, cultural, diplomatic ties with Vietnam, and hoped that Vietnam will soon open an embassy in Haiti to promote all-around links.

Informing the outcomes of his talks with National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, Latortue said both sides agreed to establish the Vietnam-Haiti Friendship Parliamentarians’ Group.

The guest pledged to offer all possible support to Vietnam’s military-run telecom provider Viettel in Haiti, and wished that the Vietnamese government will direct the group to further expand social investment in the country, contributing to poverty reduction in Haiti.

Haiti considers Viettel’s involvement in Natcom joint-venture a symbol of bilateral ties, he said.

In agriculture, Latortue said Haiti will continue buying rice from Vietnam, and asked for Vietnam’s support in high-yield rice production.

In the morning the same day, he paid floral tribute to late President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum and attended the NA’s plenary session.-VNA