Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc hosted areception for Timor-Leste’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and CooperationDionisio Babo Soares on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum on ASEAN (WEFASEAN) 2018 in Hanoi on September 12.

PMPhuc congratulated Timor-Leste on the establishment of a new government headedby PM Taur Matan Ruak, believing that under the leadership of the new government,Timor-Leste will maintain stability and strong development, thus contributing topeace, stability and cooperation in the region.

Havinghailed positive strides in Vietnam-Timor-Leste relations, the PM suggested thetwo nations further promote bilateral cooperation more comprehensively byincreasing the exchange of delegations and setting up periodic exchangemechanisms, firstly the joint committee as agreed in the Frame Agreement onTechnical and Economic Cooperation.

Hesaid ministries and representative agencies of the two countries need to workharder to regain the growth momentum in trade and investment, and expandcooperation in potential areas such as agriculture, fishing and oil and gas.

Soaresthanked the Vietnamese Government for its support and assistance to Timor-Lesteover the past time as well as its reception of 20 military students for Englishand Vietnamese language training.

Theminister promised to soon complete procedures for the implementation of the already-signbilateral trade agreement and launch negotiations for the signing of abilateral investment agreement.

Timor-Lestewill create more favourable conditions for Vietnamese businesses, includingViettel Military Industry and Telecoms Group, to operate in the country, heaffirmed.

PMPhuc spoke highly of cooperation between the two nations at regional andinternational forums such as the United Nations, and thanked Timor-Leste forits commitment to backing Vietnam’s candidacy for a non-permanent seat in theUN Security Council in the 2020-2021 term.-VNA