Vietnam always attaches importance to boosting its cooperation withSaudi Arabia and wishes to further step up the collaboration inbilateral and multilateral aspects, President Truong Tan Sang has said.

The State leader made the statement at a June 10 reception foroutgoing Saudi Arabian Ambassador Salah Ahmed Hamed Sarhan, in which hehighly praised the diplomat’s contributions during his term in office.

President Sang also thanked Saudi Arabia for backing Vietnam’s bid tojoin the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2014-2016 term, andvoiced his hope that the country will continue to support Vietnam’scandidacy to become a member of the UN Socio-Economic Council andacquire a non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council.

Withgreat economic cooperation potential between the two sides, thePresident suggested the two countries need to put forth measures tomultiply the current two-way trade turnover.

In addition toboosting labour cooperation and promoting the opening of direct airroutes, the two countries should enhance collaboration in the field ofoil and gas; a sphere in which Vietnam is collaborating with othercountries in the Middle East, North Africa and Latin America, he said.

Highlighting the impressive development of the Middle Eastern country,the Vietnamese leader invited the King of Saudi Arabia to visit Vietnamin the future, and expressed his hope that the departing diplomat willcontinue to further boost the flourishing ties between the twocountries.

For his part, Ambassador Salah declared that theties between two countries have seen development in all fields,especially trade and labour cooperation.

He made it clear SaudiArabia always regards Vietnam as an important partner. The two sideshave inked many cooperation agreements and their IntergovernmentalCommittee’s effective work has created a solid foundation for furtherbilateral cooperation.-VNA