East Timorese President welcomed to Vietnam

President Horta’s visit to Vietnam will usher in a new period of development in the relationship and cooperation between the two countries, says President Nguyen Minh Triet.

On April 26, the President of the Democratic Republic of East Timor, Jose Ramos Horta began his four-day official visit to Vietnam at the invitation of his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Minh Triet.

The same day, talks were held between President Triet and President Horta immediately after a welcome ceremony for him and his delegation at the Presidential Palace.

At the talks, the two leaders informed each other of the socio-political situation in their respective country. Mr Horta praised the achievements of the Vietnamese in the past struggle for national unification and the current process of national construction and development. He expressed his satisfaction at the fine development of the friendship and cooperation between the two countries over the past years and agreed to promote exchange visits by high-level delegations, furthering mutual understanding and trust.

They also agreed to implement effectively a framework agreement on technical and economic cooperation to tap into development potential of each country.

President Horta consented to Vietnam’s proposals to help East Timore continue to import rice and consumer goods from Vietnam, intensify investment and trade activities and create the best possible conditions for Vietnamese investors to run businesses in infrastructure development and oil and gas.

Mr Horta appreciated Vietnam’s willingness to share its experiences in agriculture, rural development and poverty reduction. He also showed keen interest in refinery projects in Vietnam. The two leaders agreed to expand cooperation in aquaculture, fishing and seafood processing. Timor Leste also showed its interest in refinery projects in Vietnam.

President Triet thanked the East Timore Government for creating favorable conditions for Vietnamese citizens to do business and act as bridge for the promotion of friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

President Horta told Mr Triet that East Timor will establish its embassy in Hanoi in 2011. Host and guest compared notes on regional and international issues of common concern and agreed to support each other at international forums and organisations and at the United Nations.

After the talks, the two leaders witnessed the signing of a framework agreement on technical and economic cooperation.

Prior to the welcome ceremony, Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem received the East Timorese Foreign Minister. The two sides agreed to organize the first meeting of the joint committee with a focus on agricultural cooperation, seafood and oil and gas.

The same day, President Horta visited Van Mieu Quoc Tu Giam (Temple of Literature) and paid a courtesy visit to Party leader Nong Duc Manh.

Later in the day, President Triet hosted a banquet in honour of President Horta and his entourage.