Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and his Ukrainian counterpart,Mykola Azarov, discussed measures to boost the two countries’ futurecooperation, especially in economics, trade and investment, during theirtalks in Kiev on October 5.

The governmentleaders informed each other about the political and socio-economicsituation and foreign policy of their respective countries and exchangedviews on bilateral ties as well as regional and international issues ofcommon concern.

PM Mykola Azarov affirmed thatdeveloping the friendship and cooperation with Vietnam on a mutuallybeneficial basis is one of the priorities in the Ukraine ’s foreignpolicy.

PM Dung stressed that while implementingits foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification andmultilateralisation of international relations, and proactiveinternational and regional integration, Vietnam always attachesimportance to consolidating and developing relations with traditionalfriends, including the Ukraine .

The two sidesagreed on the great prospects for the Vietnam-Ukraine cooperation andcomprehensive partnership, which was set up during the UkrainianPresident’s visit to Vietnam in March 2011.

The PMs agreed to continue completing a legal foundation for bilateralties and enhance the operations of the Vietnam-Ukraine IntergovernmentalCommittee for Economic, Trade, Scientific and Technical Cooperation.

They also discussed measures to support import-export activities andremove bilateral trade barriers in an effort to double two-way tradebetween Vietnam and the Ukraine in 2012 from 260 million USD in2010.

The leaders affirmed a commitment to focuson the maximum and effective exploitation of investment cooperationpotential between the two countries, especially in energy, mechanicalengineering, machinery manufacturing, chemicals and shipbuilding.

The two sides will endeavour to implement signed agreements inbanking, agriculture and telecommunications in order to expandcooperation in these potential areas, as well as study possibilities forcooperation in other fields, including high technology, aviation andspace science.

PM Mykola Azarov agreed with PM Dung’s proposal toincrease the number of scholarships for Vietnamese students to study atUkrainian universities.

PM Dung hailed the Aerosvit airlines forits plan to open a direct route from Kiev to Ho Chi Minh City inDecember this year, which would contribute to boosting exchanges betweenthe two countries’ people and developing tourism.

The governmentleaders stressed the importance of continuing to boost cooperation inmilitary techniques, education and training, science and technology andculture.

The two sides expressed pleasure at the closecoordination between the two countries at international forums andagreed to continue to develop that fine tradition.

The PMsexpressed their belief that the comprehensive cooperation andpartnership between Vietnam and the Ukraine would continue to seenew and active development in every field, providing benefits to bothsides and to celebrate the 20 th anniversary of diplomatic ties betweenthe two countries in 2012.

PM Dung invited PM Mykola Azarov tovisit Vietnam at a suitable time. PM Mykola Azarov accepted theinvitation and the visit will be arranged through diplomatic channels.

Afterthe talks, PM Dung and PM Mykola Azarov witnessed the signing of theminutes of the 12 th meeting of the Ukraine-Vietnam IntergovernmentalCommittee for Economic, Trade, Scientific and Technological Cooperation,and a memorandum of understanding between Hanoi NationalUniversity and Kiev National University .

The PMs alsomet with the media, affirming the wish and determination of the twocountries to realise their full potential to serve cooperation anddevelopment.

On the evening of Oct. 5, PM Mykola Azarov hosted a banquet for PM Dung and his entourage./.