VN develops strong cooperation with Paraguay
Vietnam has consistently implemented
its foreign policy of independence, self-reliance and openness,
including attachment of importance to developing friendship and
multifaceted cooperation with Paraguay, said State President Nguyen
Minh Triet.
President Triet made his remark during his talks with
Paraguayan President Fernando Lugo Mendez in Hanoi on March 9, that
took place right after the official welcoming ceremony.
President
Triet welcomed the first-ever visit to Vietnam by the Paraguayan
President, describing it as a milestone to bring the two countries’
friendship and cooperation to a new stage of development.
President
Fernando Lugo Mendez expressed his admiration for the late President Ho
Chi Minh and the history of struggle for national independence and
reunification in the past as well as achievements on all aspects
recorded by the Vietnamese people over the past 25 years of the doi moi
(renewal) process.
He said he believed with increasing
international prestige and position, Vietnam will continue to make
contributions to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the
region and the world at large.
The two presidents shared views on
development in bilateral politics and diplomatic relations. However,
they said bilateral economic and trade cooperation is modest and does
not match its potential.
They agreed on the need to increase the
exchange of delegations to promote mutual understanding and define areas
and ways of cooperation, immediately focusing on the two countries’
strengths, such as rice production, aquaculture, husbandry, farm produce
processing, hydro-electricity, mining and telecommunications.
The
two leaders saw the need to encourage and facilitate both countries’
businesses to increase their contacts and set up business ties,
contributing to raise bilateral trade value and serving as a link for
goods and services to penetrate into wider regional markets.
Both
also agreed to accelerate the establishment of a legal framework for
the two countries’ ties, highly valued the signing of a memorandum of
understanding on establishing a mechanism for coordination and
consultation between the two foreign ministries.
They discussed
international and regional issues of common concern, saying they agreed
to continue increasing coordination and mutual support at international
organisations and multilateral forums and join hands to promote
cooperation between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
and the group of South American Common Market (MERCSUR).
President
Fernando Lugo Mendez took this opportunity to invite President Triet to
visit Paraguay on the occasion of the 200 th anniversary of
Independence Day of Paraguay (May 14).
President Triet accepted the invitation with pleasure and the visit will be arranged through the diplomatic channel.
Also
the same day, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem
and Paraguayan Foreign Minister Hector Ricardo Lacognata signed an MoU
on establishment of a mechanism for coordination and consultation
between the two ministries.
Later in the day, President Triet gave a banquet in honour of President Fernando Lugo Mendez and his entourage./.