Vietnam attaches importance to strengthening cooperation with Kazakhstan in the energy sector in general and the oil and gas field in particular, the Vietnamese State President said.

President Truong Tan Sang made the affirmation at the talks with his Kazakh counterpart Nursultan Nazarbayev in Astana capital on Sept. 10 during his official State visit to Kazakhstan, which started on Sept. 9 and will run through Sept. 11.

Regarding the issue, President Sang added that Vietnam welcomes and will create favourable conditions for Kazakhstan businesses to explore and produce oil and gas in Vietnam.

President Nazarbayev voiced his support for Vietnam’s proposals on energy cooperation, including oil and gas exploration and production both in Kazakhstan and Vietnam.

He suggested the acceleration of goods exchange and investment development and reached agreement with President Sang on speeding up trade and investment promotion, exchanges of visits of businesses and the sharing of policy and market information.

The Kazakh President welcomed Sang’s first visit to Kazakhstan, underlining its significant importance in furthering the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation between the two countries, especially at a time when they are celebrating the 20 th anniversary of their diplomatic ties.

The two Presidents informed each other of the situation in their respective country, exchanged views on bilateral cooperation as well as regional and international issues of mutual concern.

The two leaders expressed their deep satisfaction at the dynamic development of traditional friendship and cooperation between the two countries over the last two decades, and reiterated the determination of the two nations’ leaders and people to continue consolidating and enhancing the ties.

They agreed to maintain regular exchanges of delegations at all levels, especially at a high level as well as the organisation of cultural days to strengthen political trust and traditional friendship and create conditions to promote bilateral ties, especially economic, trade and investment cooperation.

The two leaders also focused on discussing measures to increase trade exchange and investment in economics, trade, energy, consumer goods production, transport, tourism, agriculture and mining.

They agreed to fully implement the Vietnam-Kazakhstan action plan in the 2011-2013 period and increase the effectiveness of the Vietnam-Kazakhstan Inter-governmental Committee on Economic, Trade and Science-Technology Cooperation.

Both leaders welcomed active preparations made by Vietnam and the Kazakhstan-Russia-Belarus Customs Union for the establishment of their free trade area (FTA).

They said they believe that the future FTA will bring about practical benefits to all concerned sides, helping Vietnam implement its 2011-2020 socio-economic development strategy and Kazakhstan realise its 2030 strategy.
Both leaders expressed their pleasure at the coordination and mutual support the two countries had for each other at the United Nations, regional and international forums and organisations for peace, stability, cooperation and development in Asia and the world.

President Sang highly valued Kazakhstan ’s role in establishing and consolidating the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA). He congratulated the Kazakh President on the 20 th founding anniversary of the conference.

President Nazarbayev spoke highly of Vietnam ’s role in multi-mechanisms in Asia , such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Asian Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS).

He said he believes that with Vietnam ’s support, cooperation between Kazakhstan with ASEAN in particular and the CICA with the association in general will be strengthened for peace, stability and development.

The two leaders affirmed that all disputes arising in the Asia-Pacific region should be solved peacefully, without the use of force or threat to use force, and in accordance with international law and the UN Charter.

Nazarbayev said that Kazakhstan will open its embassy in Vietnam soon, for which he received President Sang’s welcome and pledge to create all favourable conditions he can for the Kazakh embassy’s smooth operation.

At the talks, President Sang thanked Kazakh leaders and authorities at all levels for assisting the Vietnamese community in Kazakhstan .

He expressed his belief that the community will continue receiving due attentions from the Kazakh side and serve as a bridge for the further development of the two countries’ friendship and cooperation.

Both leaders agreed that President Sang’s visit, amidst the celebrations of the 20 th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic ties will contribute importantly to consolidating and strengthening bilateral cooperation and developing the ties deeply and substantially in the future.

President Sang invited President Nazarbayev to visit Vietnam . The Kazakh leader accepted the invitation with pleasure.

After the talks, the two Presidents witnessed the signing of agreements on flora quarantine, aviation transport, and other cooperation documents in the banking sector and local linkages.

The two sides issued a joint statement, affirming to maintain regular political dialogues and exchange of delegations to unceasingly raise mutual trust.

While meeting with the press following the talks, President Sang said his successful talks with President Nazarbayev upheld the spirit of building, trust and mutual understanding.

“We affirmed our leaders and people’s desires as well as determinations to elevate Vietnam-Kazakhstan cooperation in a broad and comprehensive manner. We agreed to continue strengthening confidence and dialogue to create an impetus for cooperation in other areas, particularly economics, trade and investment,” Sang said.-VNA