Vietnam, RoK attach importance to developing bilateral relations

Talks held between Vietnamese and RoK delegations.

Both Vietnam and the Republic of Korea (RoK) attach importance to developing the relations and co-operation between the two countries, affirmed Prime Minister Phan Van Khai and his RoK counterpart, Lee Han Dong during their talks in Hanoi on April 9.

Mr Lee, along with his wife and entourage, arrived in Hanoi earlier in the day for an official visit to Vietnam at the invitation of Prime Minister Khai. They were given a red carpet welcome.

The two prime ministers informed each other of the situation in their respective countries. They exchanged views on bilateral relations and international and regional issues of mutual concern.

They reviewed the implementation of high-level agreements reached during the RoK visit in August 2001 by President Tran Duc Luong and discussed ways to develop the "comprehensive partnership in the 21^st century."

Mr Khai affirmed Vietnam's persistent and long-lasting policy to attach importance to developing co-operative ties and building a comprehensive partnership with the RoK.

He welcomed Prime Minister Lee's visit as a new landmark in the growing relations between the two countries.

The Vietnamese prime minister expressed high appreciation for the RoK's achievements and experience in economic development and its efforts in economic recovery.

He said that Vietnam welcomed the process of dialogue, conciliation and co-operation for the reunification of Korea. Vietnam will continue contributing to promoting peace and stability in the Korean peninsula and in the region.

Prime Minister Lee expressed his pleasure at having the opportunity to witness Vietnam's great achievements in the renovation process, saying the achievements are the outcome of Vietnam's correct and unique line.

He said he highly valued Vietnam's role in and positive contributions to ASEAN and the region. He also praised Vietnam's foreign policy, which, he added, has helped maintain and promote the trend for peace, stability, co-operation and development in Asia-Pacific and the world at large.
He affirmed that the RoK attaches importance to developing co-operative ties with Vietnam and sees the country as a potential partner in Southeast Asia in the future.

The two prime ministers were delighted at the rapid and effective development of the two countries' friendly and co-operative relations over the past 10 years since they established diplomatic ties. They emphasised the two governments' determination to join efforts to implement the agreement on building 'Comprehensive partnership in the 21^st century' in the interest of the two peoples, and for peace, stability, co-operation, and development in Asia-Pacific and the world.

To this end, the two prime ministers were of the same view to promote the exchange of delegations at various levels and to continue encouraging and supporting sectors, localities and businesses of the two sides to boost co-operation in investment, trade, labour, fisheries, education, health care, culture, tourism, science and technology, information, electricity, construction, transport and communications, and other fields.

Prime Minister Lee said that the RoK government will continue assisting Vietnam in its national industrialisation and modernisation and encouraging RoK businesses to expand their investment in Vietnam. He pledged more non-refundable assistance and soft loans for socio-economic infrastructure development programmes and projects of the Vietnamese government.

The two prime ministers agreed that the two countries will continue promoting co-operation in international and regional organisations and forums such as the United Nations (UN), the Association of Southeat Asian Nations (ASEAN), the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation forum (APEC) and the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM).

Prime Minister Lee affirmed that the RoK will continue to support Vietnam's bid to join the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and help Vietnam make preparations for the fifth Asia-Europe Meeting scheduled for 2004 in Hanoi.

In the afternoon, Prime Minister Lee and his entourage called at the Van Mieu (Temple of Literature) and Binh Minh primary school at Tho Nhuom street in Hanoi.

Prime Minister Khai and his wife gave a banquet in honour of Prime Minister Lee, his wife and other RoK distinguished guests at the Government Guest House in the evening on the same day.

Earlier, on April 7 and 8, Prime Minister Lee and his wife and entourage visited Ho Chi Minh City. Prime Minister Lee, on behalf of the RoK government, presented US $30,000 to the city's fund for poverty reduction. (VNA