Vietnam, Iran eye stronger multi-faceted cooperation

Tehran (VNA) – President Truong Tan Sang held meetings with Speaker of the Iranian National Consultative Assembly Ali Larijani and Chairman of the Expediency Council of Iran Rafsanjani on March 14 as part of his State visit to the Middle East country.

The leaders noted with pleasure the fruitful development of the traditional friendship between Vietnam and Iran over the past years.

President Truong Tan Sang spoke highly of the contributions that the National Consultative Assembly and the Expediency Council of Iran as well as the two leaders themselves have made to Iran’s development and the bilateral relationship between Iran and Vietnam, especially through the first visit to Vietnam by Rafsanjani in his capacity as Iranian President in October 1995.

He briefed his hosts on outcomes of his talks with President Hassan Rouhani, during which the two sides compared notes on specific measures in order to strengthen the multi-faceted cooperation between the two countries.

The Vietnamese State leader suggested the two countries’ legislative bodies closely coordinate with each other in supervising and accelerating the realisation of bilateral commitments and agreements.

He expressed his hope that with their prestige and role, the Speaker and the Chairman will constructively contribute to enhancing the traditional friendship between the two countries.

For their part, the Iranian leaders affirmed their support for the all-round cooperation with Vietnam, particularly in the field of economy.

Speaker Larijani suggested the two sides promptly set up collaboration in the banking sector and increase the connectivity between enterprises to create foundations for further economic, trade and investment ties.

Chairman Rafsanjani said Vietnam and Iran share may similarities in their history and both have experienced tough periods of embargoes.

He said trade and economic cooperation between the two countries remain modest compared to their potential and proposed both sides mobilise all resources to lift ties in these fields.

The chairman also suggested expanding bilateral affiliation to science-technology, education and culture, apart from economic activities.

President Truong Tan Sang used the occasion to convey National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung’s invitation to Speaker Larijani to visit Vietnam at an early date.-VNA