Vietnam, Chile pledge closer ties

Vietnam’s consistent diplomatic policy is to attach importance to developing friendship and comprehensive cooperation with Chile. President Truong Tan Sang made the statement at the talks with Chilean President Sebastian Pinera Echenique in Hanoi on Mar. 22.

Vietnam’s consistent diplomatic policy is to attach importance to developing friendship and comprehensive cooperation with Chile. President Truong Tan Sang made the statement at the talks with Chilean President Sebastian Pinera Echenique in Hanoi on Mar. 22.

President Truong Tan Sang (R) and Chilean President Sebastian Pinera Echenique (Source: VNA)
President Truong Tan Sang (R) and Chilean President Sebastian Pinera Echenique (Source: VNA)
The two leaders said they hope the implementation of the newly adopted bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA) will contribute to further raising two-way trade.

They reached consensus on maintaining regular high-level visits and political consultation activities between the two foreign ministries, as well as putting the Vietnam – Chile Inter-Governmental Cooperation Committee into operation soon. In addition to promoting cooperation in mining, metallurgy, agroforestry, fisheries, finance, telecommunications, hi-tech fields, environmental protection and coping with climate change, they also agreed to facilitate businesses’ efforts to raise bilateral trade and serve as a bridge to help each other enter regional markets.

Discussing international and regional issues of mutual concern, the two sides agreed to continue working closely at multilateral forums and organisations such as the United Nations, Non-Aligned Movement, APEC and WTO. After the talks, the two leaders signed the Vietnam – Chile Joint Statement and met with the press.

President Sang also accepted with pleasure Chilean President’s invitation to pay an official visit to Chile in the near future. The same day, at a meeting with National Assembly (NA) Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung, the Chilean President said Chile is determined to enhance comprehensive cooperation with Vietnam.

He also stressed a need to quickly realise contents under the newly signed FTA to bring practical results for the two countries. Hung said he believes the visit will bring the Vietnam – Chile comprehensive partnership to a new height to match the two peoples’ potentials and aspirations and increase friendly cooperation between Southeast Asia and South America.

He informed the guest of the signing of a cooperative agreement between the two legislative bodies during Chilean Senate President Guido Girardin Lavin’s recent visit to Vietnam, which he said will create a legal framework for the two sides to diversify cooperation.

Hung said he hopes Chilean President will support bilateral cooperation, especially in the sharing of experience in lawmaking.

The Vietnamese NA will continue promoting cooperation with the Chilean Parliament to boost friendship between two peoples and create favourable conditions for the two governments to cooperate in many fields, Hung added.

The same day, Chilean President met with Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.

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