Vietnam and El Salvador issued a joint communique on the establishment of diplomatic ties at ambassador level between the two countries on January 16.

The document was signed by the Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem and El Salvador ’s Foreign Minister Hugo Martinez Bonilla during their meeting on the sidelines of the on-going fourth Forum for East Asia-Latin America Cooperation (FEALAC) Foreign Ministers Meeting in Tokyo .

The Vietnamese Deputy PM and FM stressed the significance of the event in the two countries’ relations, which, he said, would help boost bilateral cooperation in many fields.

Khiem requested that El Salvador soon recognise Vietnam ’s market economy.

In the Latin-American region, Chile , Venezuela and Nicaragua have recognised Vietnam ’s market economy, while Brazil , Uruguay and Colombia have pledged to consider the request, Khiem added.

According to FM Bonilla, the establishment of Vietnam-El Salvador diplomatic ties is the start for development of bilateral relations and all-round cooperation.

He also expressed hope for bilateral cooperation deals to be signed in the future during Vietnamese leaders’ visits to El Salvador./.