Vietnam and Kuwait need discussions among relevant agencies to boost bilateral ties in trade, economics, investment, culture, training and labour relations, said Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.

At a reception given to Kuwaiti Minister of Oil cum Minister of Information Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdulla Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah in Hanoi on Sept. 29, PM Dung emphasised that Vietnam always considers Kuwait a traditional friend. He also expressed his joy at the fine development of the two countries’ relationship, particularly the cooperation in building the Nghi Son Oil Refinery.

Both sides should discuss and seek measures to speed up the oil refinery project, he said, noting that Vietnam will flexibly consider mechanisms for the plant’s operation in accordance with its law.

Kuwaiti Minister Sheikh Al-Sabah, who is also President of the Kuwait National Petroleum Co., expressed the hope that Vietnam and Kuwait would expand their operation in not only economics but also culture and sports.

Sheikh Al-Sabah said he was happy at the results of the Vietnam-Kuwait Joint Committee’s session in late 2009 and hoped the session of the joint committee to be held in Kuwait in 2011 would help promote the already-signed agreements. He also expressed wish to see a Vietnamese cultural week in Kuwait next year.

For its part, Kuwait will send its cultural and art troupes to Vietnam on its Cultural week, Sheikh Al-Sabah confirmed.

The minister took the occasion to congratulate PM Dung and the Vietnamese people on the millennium of Thang Long-Hanoi./.