Vietnam always attaches importance to maintaining, consolidating and developing ties with traditional friends, including Armenia in its diplomatic policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification and multilateralisation.

President Truong Tan Sang made the statement at talks with Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan in Hanoi on June 8.

Sang hailed President Sargsyan’s visit as an important milestone in strengthening friendship and traditional cooperation between the two countries, especially at a time when Vietnam and Armenia are preparing activities to celebrate the 20 th anniversary of diplomatic ties.

President Sargsyan expressed his delight at visiting Vietnam for the first time. He praised achievements made by Vietnam during the renewal period, which have raised the country’s position and prestige in the region and the world.

The two sides agreed to further increase the exchanges of delegations at all levels, particularly the high-ranking, and boost collaboration between the two countries’ ministries and departments, towards laying a solid foundation for expanding bilateral economic, trade and investment ties, among others.

Regarding economic and trade cooperation, they agreed on the need to sign agreements to create the legal framework. An Inter-governmental Committee for economic-trade and science - technology cooperation should be established as early as possible, and trade promotion and contacts increased, they said.

The leaders also stressed the need to resume cooperation in education and training, and increase cultural exchanges between the two peoples in the new period.

Sang thanked Armenia for supporting Vietnam in running for membership of the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2014 – 2016 tenure. He said he believes the two countries will continue supporting and closely working with each other at multilateral forums.

President Sang and his Armenia counterpart witnessed the signing of agreements on cooperation in economics, trade and science-technology, and visa waiver for official and diplomatic passport holders, and cooperation between the two foreign ministries.

Following the talks, the two leaders adopted a Joint Statement on the outcomes of President Sargsyan’s visit to Vietnam , which says the two sides acknowledged each other’s full market economy status.

The two sides will also negotiate the signing of agreements on plant and animal quarantine, and on mutual recognition of each other’s quality certification of products, culture, sports and customs to support bilateral trade in the coming time.-VNA