Deputy Prime Minister andForeign Minister Pham Gia Khiem made this statement at his talks withvisiting Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic in Hanoi on Feb. 23.
During the talks, the two FMs discussed orientations and measures toboost bilateral ties, especially in politics, diplomacy, economies,trade and investment.
The two sides agreed to holdnegotiation soon on framework agreements on economic-investmentcooperation in order to create a legal framework for expanding trade andinvestment activities between the two countries.
Thetwo FMs signed a memorandum of understanding between the two ForeignMinistries and discussed possible ways to expand their cooperation inthe future.
They agreed to maintain periodic politicalconsultations and strengthen coordination in regional and internationalissues of common interest for peace, cooperation and development intheir regions and the world.
Regarding the Kosovoissue, Deputy PM and FM Khiem reiterated Vietnam’s standpoint ofsupporting the UN Security Council’s Resolution No. 1244 that aims toreach a comprehensive solution for the Kosovo issue on the basis ofrespecting principles on countries’ sovereignty and territorialintegrity as well as ensuring the legitimate interests of concernedparties.
The Serbian FM spoke highly of Vietnam ’sgreat achievements during its socio-economic renewal process and in theimplementation of its foreign policy of independence, self-control,diversification and multilateralisation of relations, and comprehensiveintegration into the region and the world.
He affirmedthat Serbia gives high priority to strengthening and consolidatingthe traditional friendship and cooperation with Vietnam .
Minister Vuk Jeremic applauded Vietnam ’s consistent and responsiblestandpoint in the Kosovo issue, affirming that Serbia will continuepursuing its policy of addressing the issue through peaceful solutions,dialogues and negotiations, helping maintain peace and stability in theregion.
He expressed his wish that Vietnam wouldcontinue support for Serbia in strengthening cooperation with ASEAN,including an early signing of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC)with the bloc.
He conveyed invitations to visitSerbia from the Serbian President, Prime Minister and ParliamentSpeaker to Vietnam ’s President, Prime Minister and National AssemblyChairman.
On the same day, FM Vuk Jeremic wasreceived by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, who stressed that thetwo-day visit and the results of the talks between the Serbiandelegation and relevant Vietnamese agencies would make activecontributions to bilateral ties.
PM Dung emphasisedVietnam ’s consistent policy of making incessant efforts to develop theVietnam-Serbia relationship in all fields.
The twosides should support each other at multilateral forums and createfavourable conditions for boosting cooperation in investment, tourism,culture and education as well as increasing two-way trade turnover, hesaid.
The Vietnamese government leader affirmed thatVietnam wants to strengthen educational cooperation with Serbia sothat Vietnamese students will have more chances to study in Serbia .
He expressed his wish that the Serbian governmentwould soon consider the signing of an educational cooperation agreementbetween the two countries.
PM Dung stressed that theVietnamese government would create favourable conditions for Serbianbusiness delegations to seek investment opportunities in Vietnam .
For his part, Minister Vuk Jeremic thanked Vietnam for its supportfor Serbia ’s territorial integrity, saying that the Serbiangovernment always wishes to address the Kosovo issue through peacefulnegotiations.
He suggested the two sides speed upeducational cooperation as well as consider working together in thefields of security and defence.
The two sides should strengthenthe exchange of delegations to study each other’s investmentenvironment, especially in agriculture and the chemical industry, headded./.