President Truong Tan Sang has affirmed that Vietnam always attaches importance to its relations with Southeast Asian nations in general and Timor-Leste in particular.

At a reception for visiting Timor-Leste Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao in Hanoi on September 4, President Sang expressed his wish that the two sides will soon sign agreements on investment protection and agriculture as well as review existing agreements so that they can expand their cooperation in all fields that they boast potential.

Regarding international relations, the President thanked Timor-Leste for backing Vietnam ’s bid to become a UN Human Rights Council member in the 2014-2016 tenure as well as the stance of Vietnam and ASEAN on the East Sea issue.

Impressed by the gigantic development of Vietnam , PM Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao said Timor-Leste wants to learn national development experience from Vietnam.

He added that his country is sparing no efforts to boost national economic development with a 2011-2016 strategy which focuses on developing human resources.

Being a young country with population of just about 1.2 million, Timor-Leste is ready to open door to foreign investors, including those from Vietnam, he said.

The PM expressed his wish that Vietnam will support Timor-Leste in its path to join the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).-VNA