State President Truong Tan Sang and his Myanmar counterpart Thein Sein have agreed to increase two-way trade to US$500 million by 2015.

During their March 20 talks in Hanoi, President Sang highlighted President Sein’s visit, saying it will contribute to consolidating the traditional relations and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

Mr Sang congratulated Myanmar’s security, political, social and economic achievements, which he said will lay a firm foundation for its national development and construction. He said he believes that under the leadership of President Sein, Myanmar will enjoy stable development and achieve prosperity along with rising status in the region and the world.

The Vietnamese State leader said he hopes Myanmar will soon become a member of the Mekong River Commission.

The Myanmar President expressed his admiration for Vietnam’s great achievements during its Renewal (Doi Moi) process, as well as its national development and international integration. He also appreciated Vietnam’s support for its role as the ASEAN Chair 2014.

Both leaders said they are delighted with the recent development of bilateral relations and agreed to foster ties by boosting the exchange of delegations at all levels, maintaining cooperation mechanisms, and promoting cooperation in economics, national security and defence, agriculture, aquaculture, finance and banking, telecommunications, transport, oil, gas, and tourism.

They discussed regional and international issues of mutual concern and reaffirmed that they will work closely together in international forums such as the UN, ASEAN, the Greater Mekong Subregion cooperation mechanisms, the East West Economic Corridor (EWEC), and the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS).

They also emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the East Sea, settling disputes through peaceful negotiations in compliance with international laws and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) towards creating a Code of Conduct in the East Sea.

Both host and guest also agreed to ensure the sustainable use of the water resources in the Mekong River in the interest of Mekong riverside countries.

President Sein took the opportunity to invite President Sang to visit Myanmar, and the invitation was accepted with pleasure.

The schedule for the visit will be made through the diplomatic channel.

** Later the same day, President Sein was received by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.

During the reception, both sides briefed each other on their own countries’ situations and discussed ways to increased multifaceted cooperation between the two ruling Parties and two countries in general.

(VOV)