Solomon Islands hopes for closer ties with Vietnam hinh anh 1Vietnamese Ambassador Luong Thanh Nghi and Solomon Islands Governor-General Frank Utu Ofagioro Kabui (Source: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) - The Solomon Islands wishes to further strengthen relations with Vietnam, especially in trade, investment and economic development.

Solomon Islands Governor-General Frank Utu Ofagioro Kabui made the statement during his recent reception for Vietnamese Ambassador Luong Thanh Nghi, who was there to present a letter of credential.

The Governor-General congratulated Vietnam on its socio-economic achievements reached during its reform process, affirming that the Solomon Islands treasures and hopes to expand relations with Vietnam.

The two sides should continue coordinating at international and regional forums in fields of mutual concern, especially climate change and malaria, he stressed.

On the occasion, the Vietnamese diplomat paid courtesy visits to Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare and National Parliament Speaker Ajilion J Nasiu, and met with Ministers of the island nation.

At the meetings, Ambassador Nghi stressed that Vietnam attaches importance to friendship and cooperation with island nations in the southern Pacific Ocean, including the Solomon Islands.

Vietnamese leaders want to welcome high-ranking officials to Vietnam, he said. He suggested the two countries meet more on the sidelines of multilateral and regional forums in order to foster bilateral cooperation.

The Vietnamese diplomat and the Solomon Islands’ leaders also discussed measures to boost connection in trade, investment, agriculture, aquaculture and tourism.

Vietnam and the Solomon Islands established diplomatic ties in 1996.

Two-way trade reached 3.4 million USD in 2014. Vietnam mainly ships rice, household commodities and mineral water to the Solomon Islands.-VNA
VNA