President Truong Tan Sang has said the traditional friendship between Vietnam and Chile will serve as a good ground for bilateral trade to improve and help expand each other's markets to Southeast Asia and Latin America .

The state leader made the statement while meeting with the visiting Chilean Senate President Guido Girardin Lavin in Hanoi on Feb. 28.

Sang asked the Chilean lawmaker to create favourable conditions for establishing direct flights between the two countries.

In response, the top Chilean lawmaker said Chile has signed free trade agreements with most of its neighbouring countries, which will help Vietnamese products access these markets.

He said he sees eye-to-eye with Hung on the necessity of a new direct air route.

He also said mineral exploitation, environment, culture and education are Chile 's priorities for co-operation with Vietnam.-VNA