Vietnamese Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Cao Duc Phat and Iranian Minister of Commerce Mehdi Ghazanfari shared similar opinions on Dec. 22 that friendship and cooperation between the two sides have developed considerably over the past few years.

Speaking at the 6th meeting of the Vietnam-Iran Joint Commission held in Hanoi from Dec. 21-23, Minister Cao Duc Phat spoke highly of Iran ’s initiative on 10-year cooperation between the two countries, considering it an important progress in bilateral ties.

“The organisation of this meeting reflects our desire and determination to bring our friendly relations and cooperation to a new vision, serving better the interests of the people in both countries,” Phat said.

He added that Vietnam is interested in investing in Iran, especially in the field of oil and gas exploration and exploitation. Vietnam acknowledged and praised Iran ’s efforts to make it easier for Vietnam in deploying oil and gas projects in Iran as well as providing scholarships to learn the Persian language for Vietnamese, Phat said.

The meeting assigned the Ministries of Transport of the two countries to conduct negotiations for the establishment of a transportation joint venture.

Vietnam is also pining high hopes to sign an agreement with Iran on avoidance of double taxation in 2010.

Minister Phat said that on Dec. 23, the two sides are expected to sign a series of cooperation deals in aquaculture, trade, investment and minutes of the meeting.

As scheduled, a business delegation from Iran is expected to visit Vietnam in May, 2010 to seek investment opportunities and trade cooperation./.