Vietnam always wishes to strengthen the traditional friendship and cooperation with the Republic of Serbia for the interest of the two countries’ people.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem made this statement at his talks with visiting Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic in Hanoi on Feb. 23.

During the talks, the two FMs discussed orientations and measures to boost bilateral ties, especially in politics, diplomacy, economies, trade and investment.

The two sides agreed to hold negotiation soon on framework agreements on economic-investment cooperation in order to create a legal framework for expanding trade and investment activities between the two countries.

The two FMs signed a memorandum of understanding between the two Foreign Ministries and discussed possible ways to expand their cooperation in the future.

They agreed to maintain periodic political consultations and strengthen coordination in regional and international issues of common interest for peace, cooperation and development in their regions and the world.

Regarding the Kosovo issue, Deputy PM and FM Khiem reiterated Vietnam’s standpoint of supporting the UN Security Council’s Resolution No. 1244 that aims to reach a comprehensive solution for the Kosovo issue on the basis of respecting principles on countries’ sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as ensuring the legitimate interests of concerned parties.

The Serbian FM spoke highly of Vietnam ’s great achievements during its socio-economic renewal process and in the implementation of its foreign policy of independence, self-control, diversification and multilateralisation of relations, and comprehensive integration into the region and the world.

He affirmed that Serbia gives high priority to strengthening and consolidating the traditional friendship and cooperation with Vietnam .

Minister Vuk Jeremic applauded Vietnam ’s consistent and responsible standpoint in the Kosovo issue, affirming that Serbia will continue pursuing its policy of addressing the issue through peaceful solutions, dialogues and negotiations, helping maintain peace and stability in the region.

He expressed his wish that Vietnam would continue 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 visit Serbia from the Serbian President, Prime Minister and Parliament Speaker to Vietnam ’s President, Prime Minister and National Assembly Chairman.

On the same day, FM Vuk Jeremic was received by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, who stressed that the two-day visit and the results of the talks between the Serbian delegation and relevant Vietnamese agencies would make active contributions to bilateral ties.

PM Dung emphasised Vietnam ’s consistent policy of making incessant efforts to develop the Vietnam-Serbia relationship in all fields.

The two sides should support each other at multilateral forums and create favourable conditions for boosting cooperation in investment, tourism, culture and education as well as increasing two-way trade turnover, he said.

The Vietnamese government leader affirmed that Vietnam wants to strengthen educational cooperation with Serbia so that Vietnamese students will have more chances to study in Serbia .

He expressed his wish that the Serbian government would soon consider the signing of an educational cooperation agreement between the two countries.

PM Dung stressed that the Vietnamese government would create favourable conditions for Serbian business delegations to seek investment opportunities in Vietnam .

For his part, Minister Vuk Jeremic thanked Vietnam for its support for Serbia ’s territorial integrity, saying that the Serbian government always wishes to address the Kosovo issue through peaceful negotiations.

He suggested the two sides speed up educational cooperation as well as consider working together in the fields of security and defence.

The two sides should strengthen the exchange of delegations to study each other’s investment environment, especially in agriculture and the chemical industry, he added./.