Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan Bakhtiyor Saidov at the meeting in Hanoi on March 18. (Photo: VNA) The host leader affirmed Vietnam always keeps in mind Uzbekistan’swholehearted assistance during its struggle for independence, and that itattaches importance to the traditional friendship with the republics that usedto be part of the former Soviet Union, including Uzbekistan.
Lauding the significance of the first visit to Vietnam by an Uzbekforeign minister since the bilateral diplomatic ties were set up in 1992, PMChinh held that on the basis of the traditional friendship, the two countriesshould promote cooperation comprehensively, between their Parties, governments,and parliaments, as well as via delegation exchanges and the establishment ofnew cooperation mechanisms between their ministries and sectors.
He said as the two countries boast economic and trade complementarities,they should increase trade in the commodities they are strong at such as cottonand production materials of Uzbekistan along with aquatic products, textiles -garments, and electronic devices of Vietnam.
The Vietnamese leader also called for stronger partnerships inspearhead industries of both countries like petroleum and agriculture toguarantee energy and food security, as well as stronger locality-to-locality connections.
Asking for strengthened collaboration at regional andinternational forums, the PM said Vietnam is ready to act as a bridge between Uzbekistanand members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
He also suggested Uzbekistan help Vietnam reinforce ties withCentral Asian countries in the spirit of good friends and responsible partners.
For his part, Saidov affirmed that Uzbekistan wishes to further enhancethe traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation with Vietnam,particularly in terms of economy, trade, and investment.
He perceived that the two sides hold considerable cooperation potential. Healso agreed on the cooperation directions the PM mentioned at themeeting.
Reportingon the earlier talks with his Vietnamese counterpart Bui Thanh Son, Saidov noted the two sides willwork out a cooperation plan between the two foreign ministries and coordinatewith relevant ministries and sectors to perfect the legal foundation fordeveloping the bilateral relations in such spheres as economy - trade, education,culture, and people-to-people exchanges in a more result-oriented manner.
PM Chinh highly valued the talks’ outcomes, asking the two foreign ministriesto further bring into play their coordinating role so that the two countries’cooperation will obtain fruitful results in the time ahead.
Healso requested further promoting ties in education - training, culture, arts,tourism, people-to-people interaction, and exchanges between socio-politicalorganisations such as alumni and youth ones to help intensify mutual understandingbetween the Vietnamese and Uzbek youths and nurture the friendship between the two nations' people./.
VNA
