LookAtVietnam – Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has said that the current level of investments from the Republic of Korea has not yet caught up with the expectations of both Governments.

Vietnam, RoK aim for strategic partnership

Vietnam and the Republic of Korea (RoK) need to work to lift their “comprehensive relationship in the 21st century” to a “Strategic Cooperative Partnership” for the prosperity of both country’s and peace and stability in the region.

This view was shared by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and his RoK counterpart, Han Seung-soo, during their talks in Seoul on May 29.

The two PMs also expressed their delight with the dynamic developments in the two countries’ political, economic, social and cultural ties in the spirit of mutual trust that they agreed to in 1992 when they established diplomatic ties.

They reached a mutual understanding on the need to further broaden bilateral cooperation in politics by continuing with visits from senior leaders, and increasing cooperation and dialogue in the fields of diplomacy, security and defence.

They also agreed to accelerate cooperation in trade, investment, ODA, labour and tourism, by encouraging RoK businesses to expand their investment in industrial projects, energy, infrastructure, transport, construction and urban planning.

Both PMs pointed out their increased collaboration in the transfer of technologies, protecting the environment, dealing with climate change and preventing outbreaks of diseases and the unceasing expansion of cultural and educational cooperation.

They agreed to pay more attention to protecting the legitimate interests of Vietnamese people living in the RoK and RoK citizens living and working in Vietnam and will make a concerted effort to address arising problems relating to citizenship.

The RoK’s PM vowed to share his country’s experience of development with Vietnam and continue to increase ODA to Vietnam.

The two PMs also reached a consensus on the reinforcement of bilateral cooperation in regional and international forums for the sake of peace, stability and development in Asia in particular and the world in general.

At the end of their talks, they witnessed the signing of an agreement on the exchange of prisoners, a framework agreement (revised) on non-refundable aid, and a cooperative deal on cooking safety.

They also saw the signing of a cooperation agreement between the Vietnamese Ministry of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs and the RoK Labour Ministry and another on the development of an online Vietnamese government database between the Vietnamese Government Office and the RoK Ministry for Administration and Public Security.

The same day, PM Nguyen Tan Dung sent his condolences to Kwon Yang Sook, the wife of former RoK President Roh Moo-hyun, over his death.

In his message, PM Dung spoke highly of the deceased President’s sentiments towards the Vietnamese people as well as his positive contributions to the two countries’ friendly ties and cooperation.

VietNamNet/VNA