LookAtVietnam – Talks were held between President Nguyen Minh Triet and his Chilean counterpart Michelle Baehelet Jeria on the heels of a state welcome

President Nguyen Minh Triet and Chilean President Michelle Bachelet Jeria review the guard of honour.

They spent most of their time discussing orientations and measures to further promote friendship and comprehensive relationship between the two nations in accordance with the spirit of the 2007 Viet Nam-Chile Joint Statement.

The guest congratulated Chile on the socio-economic gains made over recent years, particularly in the present context of the world financial and economic crisis.

“Such great achievements have seen Chile become a leading developing country in Latin America, with a leading role and increased prestige in the international arena,” said Triet.

President Bachelet expressed her admiration and respect for the Vietnamese people’s heroic struggle for national independence, freedom and reunification in the past and their great achievements in the course of socio-economic development and international integration in the two decades of renewal.

Bachelet voiced her country’s resolve to promote closer friendship and comprehensive co-operation with Viet Nam, particularly in the fields of economics, trade ad investment.

The two presidents also focused on difficulties and challenges facing the two countries in promoting bilateral economic and trade relations and discussed measures to overcome them.

They agreed to further consolidate their political and diplomatic relations, through exchange visits by senior government officials and the diplomatic consultancy mechanism between the Vietnamese and Chilean foreign ministries.

Both presidents expressed their conviction that an Agreement on the Free Trade Area would be signed in a near future. “The agreement will certainly help elevate the economic and trade relations between the two countries to a higher level,” the two presidents said.

They also agreed to promote bilateral co-operation in the areas of agriculture, forestry, cooking industry, mining, biotechnology, banking and tele-communications as well as to share experiences in poverty alleviation and social security.

During their talks, the two presidents exchanged their points of view on regional and international issues of mutual concern. The two sides agreed to continue strengthening their co-ordination and mutual support at international bodies and multi-lateral forums such as the United Nations, the East Asia-Latin America Co-operation Forum for the interest of the two countries, for peace, stability and development in the region and the world.

On this occasion, President Nguyen Minh Triet invited President Michelle Bachelet Jeria to visit Viet Nam again. The invitation was accepted and will be arranged through diplomatic channels.

Speaking to reporters at a press conference following their talks, President Bachelet said she wanted Viet Nam to actively consider joining the Pacific Free Trade Area and expressed the hope that many activities would be arranged to push mutual understanding between people of the two nations, particularly in 2010 when Viet Nam would mark her 65th National Day and the 1,000th anniversary of Thang Long-Ha Noi and Chile celebrate her 200th Independence Day.

Echoing the host’s suggestion, President Triet voiced Viet Nam’s desire for comprehensive co-operation with Chile and keenness to learn from Chile’s best practices, especially in agricultural production, mining, fisheries and tourism.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News