Photo:VNA.

Vietnam and Venezuela have pledged to develop a comprehensive and equal partnership between the two countries in order to meet each country’s development requirements and contribute to the peace, stability, co-operation and development in the two regions and the world.

This commitment was made by the visiting Vietnamese President, Nguyen Minh Triet, and his Venezuelan counterpart, Hugo Chavez, during their talks held in the Venezuelan capital of Caracas on November 20 (local time).

The two State leaders focused their discussion on measures to boost bilateral relations.

President Chavez said President Triet’s visit to Venezuela is of great significance, contributing to enhancing the friendship and co-operation between the two countries.

He said Venezuela appreciated and respected Vietnam’s role and position in the region and the world and wished to develop its ties with Vietnam, particularly in economy, trade and investment.

The two leaders agreed that the multifaceted co-operation between the two countries have developed rapidly over recent years, especially in economy and trade, matching their aspirations and potential.

They stressed the need to intensify the exchange of visits at all levels to broaden their mutual understanding and seek effective measures for co-operation, with particular focus on energy, oil and gas, education and training, finance, agriculture, construction, information and communication, maritime, transport, electrical appliances, textiles and garments.

The two countries have signed agreements on investment promotion and protection, double taxation avoidance, and furthering co-operation in agriculture and education. They also signed memorandums of understanding regarding communication co-operation, contracts and letters of intention related to oil and gas joint ventures, the automobile industry and the textile and garment industry.

The two leaders agreed to implement the agreements in the near future and enter into further discussions with a view to reaching further agreements in many other areas.

In exchanging views on regional and international issues of common concern, the two heads of States agreed unanimously on a number of issues.

They expressed their satisfaction at their close co-ordination in international activities and vowed to continue this co-ordination and mutual support at international and multilateral forums such as the United Nations, the Non-Aliged Movement, and the East Asia-Latin America Co-operation Forum.

They also agreed to help each other to strengthen relations with other countries in the Southeast Asian and Latin American regions as well as with regional organisations such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the South America’s leading trading bloc MERCOSUR, and the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) for their common benefit and for peace, stability and development in the region and the world.

During their talks, President Triet invited President Chavez to make another official visit to Vietnam in the future. President Chavez thanked and accepted the invitation with pleasure. The scheduling of the visit is to be arranged through diplomatic channels.

Following their talks, President Chavez pinned the Simon Bolivar Order, Venezuela’s highest decoration, on President Triet.

Speaking to the press, President Chavez said that the two countries should draw up a concrete timetable to implement the agreements reached.

Both Venezuela and Vietnam are using socialism to build a better world, so the two countries should boost co-operation in order to attain their common targets, he stressed.

The Venezuelan President announced that the two countries have established a joint investment fund worth US$200 million to assist bilateral co-operation, particularly regarding technology transfer.

President Triet affirmed that the Vietnamese State and people would do their utmost to raise levels of rapport between the two nations. He asked relevant Vietnamese ministries, agencies and businesses to increase co-operation with Venezuelan partners not only for economic benefits but also for the sentiments between the two nations.

Later that afternoon, President Triet left Caracas, concluding his two-day visit to Venezuela . He is to attend the 16th Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation Forum (APEC) Leaders’ Meeting, scheduled to take place in Lima, Peru, from November 22-23. (VNA)