VietNamNet Bridge - Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem held talks with his El Salvador counterpart Hugo Martinez Bonilla who is on an official visit to Vietnam from March 30 to April 1.

During the talks, host and guest informed each other of the situation in their countries, compared notes on regional and international issues of common concern, and discussed measures to promote the friendship and multifaceted cooperation between the two countries as well as the two foreign ministries.

Mr Khiem praised El Salvador’s achievements during the process of national reconciliation and socio-economic development in recent years while Mr Bonilla expressed his admiration for Vietnam’s history, tradition and the significant achievements its people recorded after 25 years of implementing the Doi Moi (Renewal) process which has continuously raised Vietnam’s prestige and international status.

Both sides agreed to boost bilateral cooperation in producing consumer goods, agriculture, science and technology, culture, healthcare, education, training and telecommunication and support each other in expanding their relations with other countries in Southeast Asia and Central America.

In the near future, they will increase exchange visits between ministries and sectors to deepen political relations, promote mutual understanding and accelerate negotiations for the signing of cooperation documents to create a legal foundation for promoting economics, trade and investment as well as creating the best possible conditions for businesses to have access to the markets and establish a direct partnership.

The two leaders also agreed that the two countries will continue to support each other at international forums and organisations such as the WTO and the Forum for East Asia-Latin America Cooperation (FEALAC).

On the occasion, Mr Bonilla invited Mr Khiem to visit his country and his invitation was accepted with pleasure.

After the talks, the two FMs signed an agreement on visa exemption for diplomatic and official passport holders and a Memorandum of Understanding on building a mechanism for bilateral consultation between the two foreign ministries.

On April 1 El Salvadorian Foreign Minister Hugo Martinez visited the Chairman of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO) Vu Xuan Hong in Hanoi.

During the meeting, Chairman Vu Xuan Hong briefed Minister Martinez on the Union’s recent activities and said that in the coming time, the Union will strengthen the Vietnam-El Salvador Friendship Association with the aim of boosting ties of friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

Hong expressed wishes that the two parties will pay more attention to bilateral ties and undertake many practical activities to promote friendship and mutual understanding between people from Vietnam and El Salvador.

Meanwhile, Martinez thanked the VUFO and the Vietnamese people for their warm reception and hospitality. He also pledged to do his utmost to contribute to bilateral relations in many fields.

During his stay in Vietnam, the Salvadorian diplomat and his entourage visited Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, and held working sessions with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Ministry of Education and Training, the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Viettel telecommunications group.

Source: VNS/VOV