Vietnam, in its foreign policy, always attaches importance to developing the relationship with Saudi Arabia and considers the country one of its priority partners in the Middle East.
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| President Nguyen Minh Triet attending the Saudi - Vietnam business forum. Photo: VOV |
State President Nguyen Minh Triet made the statement during talks with Saudi Arabian King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud in the capital city of Riyadh on April 10 (local time), which took place after the King’s official welcoming ceremony and banquet for the Vietnamese delegation.
President Triet spoke highly of the achievements that the Saudi Arabian people have made during their national construction and development, helping increasing the country’s position in the region and the world as well.
He expressed his thanks to the Saudi Arabian King for sending relief aid to flood victims in central Vietnam in November last year.
For his part, King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud said President Triet’s visit is of historical significance to the relations between the two countries. He praised Vietnam ’s achievements over the past time, especially its efforts to overcome the negative impacts of the global economic recession in order to maintain its dynamism and attractiveness in the Asia-Pacific region.
The King affirmed that Saudi Arabia , in its Look East policy, wants to develop ties with Vietnam , considering it a top priority in Southeast Asia .
Both host and guest spent much time discussing specific measures to strengthen and expand bilateral cooperation, particularly in investment, finance, oil and gas, agriculture, trade and labour. They also exchanged views on regional and international issues of common concern.
The two leaders agreed to increase the exchange of delegations and establish a strategic partnership on energy and food. They welcomed the signing of a number of cooperation agreements during the visit, saying that they will pave the way for promoting economic-trade and investment ties between the two countries.
On behalf of the Vietnamese State , President Triet invited the Saudi Arabian King to pay an official visit to Vietnam in the earliest time.
After the talks, President Triet and King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud witnessed the signing of three major accords, including an agreement on double taxation avoidance and tax fraud prevention, a protocol on oil and gas and mineral cooperation, and an agreement on agricultural cooperation.
On the occasion, the Saudi Arabian King conferred the Order of Abdulaziz al Saud on President Triet. He said the conferment of the noble order which bears the name of the founder of the Saudi Arabian Kingdom aims to speak for the friendship between Saudi Arabia and Vietnam.
On April 11, Vietnamese State President Nguyen Minh Triet delivered a speech at the consultative council of Saudi Arabia - the Ash Shura Council - as part of his three-day visit to the country.
Having briefed participants about Vietnam ’s achievements in its national construction and development process, President Triet said that Vietnam wants to develop its friendly and cooperative ties with the Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia .
Vietnam considers Saudi Arabia one of its leading partners and will do its utmost to nurture and expand the bilateral friendship and cooperation, he stressed.
The leader informed the council on the results of his earlier talks with King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, saying the two sides agreed to step up friendly and cooperative relations, increase the exchange of visits at all levels, and continue cooperation at regional and international forums.
Vietnam and Saudi Arabia will focus on promoting strategic cooperation in energy and food security and boosting trade and investment ties toward the target of 1 billion USD in two-way trade within the next 2-3 years and facilitating the flows of Vietnamese and Saudi Arabia goods in Southeast Asia and the Gulf region, President Triet said.
The two sides agreed to strengthen relations between Southeast Asian and Gulf nations, first speeding up negotiations for the signing of a free trade agreement between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
Vietnam will also send more workers to Saudi Arabia and work closely with the country to build legal frameworks to ensure fruitful cooperation and development in both countries.
Regarding the Middle East’s peace, President Triet said Vietnam always supports and treasures peace in the region and the world at large. During its term of office as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, Vietnam actively contributed to the council’s resolutions aimed at maintaining peace and stability in the region and the world, especially in the Middle East , he elaborated.
The leader said Vietnam also advocates the resolutions adopted by the Arab League for the sake of a peaceful and stable Middle East , where regional nations develop together.
President Triet expressed his hope that, in its capacity as an advisory body of the King, the Ash Shura Council will work harder for the friendship and cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Vietnam . He also proposed the council beef up its relationship with the National Assembly of Vietnam and soon set up a channel to share experiences.
Also on April 11, President Triet received Finance Minister Ibrahim Bin Abdullaziz Al-Assaf, Minister of Agriculture Fahad Bin Abdulrahman Balgonaim, Minister of Industry and Trade Abdullah Bin Ahmad Zainal, and Governor of the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority Amr Bin Abdullah Al-Dabbagh.
At the meetings, President Triet affirmed that Vietnam always attaches importance to and highly values the great role of Saudi Arabia in the region and the world as well.
Vietnam makes it an important priority in its foreign policy towards the Middle East to speed up multi-faceted cooperation with Saudi Arabia , especially in oil and gas, agriculture, investment, trade and labour, he said, adding that Vietnam will create favourable conditions for Saudi Arabian businesses to invest in the country.
President Triet suggested that the two sides should take advantage of each other’s competitive edges to boost the trade of essential goods.
Vietnam may export to Saudi Arabia such commodities as garment, footwear, agricultural and aquatic products, electronics and construction materials while importing oil and gas, and chemicals from the Middle East nation, he said.
Vietnam , which boasts experiences in agriculture, is ready to help Saudi Arabia improve the quality of production and ensure long-term food security, he added.
Concurring with President Triet, the Saudi Arabian officials said that Saudi Arabia and Vietnam should boost the trade of goods, especially agricultural and industrial products as their economies share many similarities.
Taking into account the vast opportunities available in Vietnam and the number of Saudi Arabian businesses wanting to invest in the Southeast Asian country, the two governments should work to early sign an investment encouragement and protection agreement in order to further strengthen economic-trade and investment ties between Saudi Arabia and Vietnam , they suggested.
Minister of Agriculture Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Saud said this year he will lead a delegation of agricultural experts to Vietnam .
He added that King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud has issued a decision on overseas agricultural investment and his ministry is building joint venture projects with Vietnam in this field.