State President Truong Tan Sang has reaffirmed that Vietnam persists in its foreign policy of independence, sovereignty and openness, thus attaching great importance to developing the friendship and comprehensive cooperation with Chile.

  

Photo: VOV

 During talks with Chilean President Sebastián Piñera Echenique in Hanoi on March 22, Mr Sang thanked the Chilean Government and people for their special solidarity and constant support for Vietnam over the years.

 

He said the Chilean President’s first official visit to Vietnam will actively contribute to promoting the development of bilateral relations.

 

President Echenique expressed his admiration for the late President Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam’s past struggle for national independence, and its recent achievements in national construction and development.

 

Both Presidents briefed each other on the current situation in each country and discussed ways to foster multifaceted cooperation.

 

They said they were pleased with the signing of a Free Trade Agreement, aimed at increasing two-way trade to a higher level.

 

Both sides agreed to maintain the exchange of high-ranking delegations and political consultations between their foreign ministries and put the mechanism for Vietnam-Chile inter-governmental cooperation in place.

 

Host and guest also agreed to boost cooperation in the fields of their strength such as mining, metallurgy, agro-forestry-fishery production and processing, finance, telecommunications, high technology, environmental protection, and adaptation to climate change.

 

Vietnam and Chile will encourage their businesses to increase the value of two-way trade.

 

Regarding international and regional issues of mutual concern, both leaders agreed to increase cooperation at multilateral forums such as the UN, the Non-Aligned Movement, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), and the negotiation for Trans-Pacific Partnership.

 

President Echenique took the opportunity to invite his Vietnamese counterpart to visit Chile. Mr Sang accepted it with pleasure. The visit will be arranged through diplomatic channels.

 

After the talks, the two Presidents signed a joint statement and met with mass media representatives.

 

** The same day, President Echenique was received by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, and National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung.

 

VietNamNet/VOV