Vietnam eyes stronger multifaceted cooperation with Venezuela, Iraq

This view was shared by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez during their meetings in Margarita, Venezuela on September 18 (Venezuelan time). The meetings took place on the sidelines of the 17th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), which was hosted by Venezuela. At both meetings, the two sides vowed to work actively to realise commitments made during visits by the Vietnamese and Venezuelan leader

This view was shared by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez during their meetings in Margarita, Venezuela on September 18 (Venezuelan time). The meetings took place on the sidelines of the 17th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), which was hosted by Venezuela.

At both meetings, the two sides vowed to work actively to realise commitments made during visits by the Vietnamese and Venezuelan leaders, especially in strategic areas like agriculture and energy, oil and gas.

To implement a joint agricultural project for 2015-2018, Vietnam has established groups of experts and labourers who will be sent to Venezuela in October and November this year, said Deputy PM and FM Pham Binh Minh.

He called upon the Venezuelan president to provide instructions on specific measures or mechanisms in order to boost two-way trade on the basis of the bilateral agreement on trade collaboration.

The two sides agreed to convene a meeting of the Vietnam–Venezuela Intergovernmental Committee to mull over specific points for cooperation.

The two sides also compared notes on regional and international issues, including those regarding the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the East Sea.

The Vietnamese Deputy PM and FM said Vietnam hoped that Venezuela, as NAM Chair for 2016-2019, would uphold the principles of the Movement, helping it grow stronger.

On the sidelines of the 17th NAM Summit, Deputy PM and FM Pham Binh Minh also met with Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim Al-Shaiker Al-Jafari, who agreed to enhance the exchange of information between the two sides and to create the best possible conditions for the two countries’ businesses to access each other’s market.

Vietnam wished that Iraq would help with oil and gas exploration and exploitation activities, the Deputy PM and FM said, noting his hope that the situation in Iraq would soon stabilise to facilitate bilateral multifaceted cooperation.

The two officials were unanimous on the need to step up their coordination and mutual support at regional and international forums./.

Source: VNA/NDO