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Vietnam, Pakistan to establish inter-governmental co-operation committee

Vietnam and Pakistan have agreed to establish an Inter-governmental Co-operation Committee, with the new committee's first session to be held in Hanoi this year.

An agreement to this effect was signed during the April 17-18 visit to Pakistan by Deputy Foreign Minister Le Cong Phung.

The two countries' foreign ministries also agreed in principle to the organisation of activities to mark the 30^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Pakistan (November 8).

Deputy FM Phung paid courtesy visits to Foreign Minister Abdus Sattar, and minister of Trade, Industry and Production, Dawood Abdul Razzaq. He also met with senior officials of the Finance Ministry.

At these meetings, the two sides informed each other of the situation in their respective countries and compared notes on regional and international issues of common concern. They discussed measures to boost bilateral co-operation, particularly in economics and trade.

The Pakistani hosts affirmed their steadfast desire to continue developing relations with Vietnam.

Both sides were of the same view that although multi-form co-operation between Vietnam and Pakistan had been expanded in the recent time, the two sides should exert greater efforts to fully tap their co-operation potential.

Deputy FM Phung was informed of important developments in Pakistan's relations with neighbouring countries, including India. He expressed the hope that Pakistan and India would soon iron out their differences through bilateral negotiations to contribute to regional and global peace, stability and co-operation.

Together with the visits to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka last March, Mr Phung's visit to Pakistan is part of Vietnam's effort to strengthen and develop relations with South Asian countries. (VNA)