FM Khiem holds talks with foreign counterparts

Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem on July 24 held separate talks with his counterparts from Mongolia, the Republic of Korea (RoK) and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) who have been in Hanoi to attend ASEAN related meetings.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Gombojav Zandanshatar affirmed that Mongolia attaches great importance to ties with Vietnam and wishes to further increase cooperation with the Southeast Asian country.

He asked for Vietnam’s support to Mongolia’s participation in APEC’s activities as well as increasing cooperation with ASEAN. The Mongolian diplomat proposed that the two countries boost defense cooperation in the future.

He also informed of the Mongolian National Assembly Chairman’s visit to Vietnam late this year.

FM Khiem, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, suggested that the two countries increase visit exchanges and education cooperation.

He said he hopes that the Mongolian government and its foreign ministry would facilitate Vietnamese community in Mongolia as well as the establishment of a Vietnamese business association in the country.

At the upcoming 14th session of the Vietnam-Mongolia intergovernmental committee, the two sides need to discuss measures to tap each country’s potential for economic and trade cooperation, Mr Khiem said.

Talking with RoK Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Yu Myung Hwan, Mr Khiem welcomed the RoK’s positive participation in ASEAN related meetings, contributing to ASEAN-RoK comprehensive cooperative partnership.

They express pleasure at the fine development in bilateral relations since Vietnam and RoK set up their strategic cooperative partnership last October.

They agreed to boost high-ranking visits, well prepare for the first foreign affair-security and defence strategic dialogue at the deputy ministerial level and implement the results of the 12th session of the intergovernmental committee on economic and science-technology cooperation.

They shared the view that the two countries should increase trade exchange to raise two-way trade to US$20 billion by 2015.

Minister Yu said the RoK will continue to facilitate Vietnam’s exports, increase ODA provision and investment into Vietnam, and receive more Vietnamese labourers. He said both countries should increase people-to-people exchanges and expand cooperation in culture, arts and sports.

Mr Khiem and Mr Yu agreed that the two countries’ ministries and sectors should enhance cooperation and pay more attention to assisting and protecting their people, especially Vietnamese brides and workers in the RoK.

Minister Yu expressed the RoK President, Government and Foreign Ministry’s sympathy over the murder of Vietnamese bride Thach Thi Hoang Ngoc.

The RoK Government will strictly handle the case, soon modify regulations relating to foreign-related marriages and increase the management and supervision of marriage brokerage to avoid such cases, he confirmed.

During talks with the DPRK’s Foreign Minister, Mr Khiem affirmed that the Vietnam always attaches importance to increasing the friendly cooperation with the DPRK.

Mr Khiem welcomed the DPRK minister’s visit to Vietnam and his attendance at the 17th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), emphasising the significance of the visit when the two countries are celebrating the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties.

He hailed the exchanges of ministries and sectors’ delegations to boost mutual understanding and seek suitable measures to increase cooperation in economics, trade, culture and sports.

Both sides expressed their delight at new developments in bilateral cooperation, especially after the DPRK’s visit by Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh in October 2007.

Minister Pac Ui Chun said it is necessary to further promote the two countries’ cooperation in politics, economics and diplomacy.

The DPRK wants Vietnamese businesses to increase their cooperation and investment in the country and the two foreign ministries to promote their roles in boosting bilateral ties as well as their coordination in international and regional issues. VOVNews/VNA

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