The statement was made by Mr Khiem during a reception for a delegation from the Tunisian Foreign Ministry led by its Minister Abdelwaheb Abdallah in Hanoi on June 26.

Mr Khiem briefed his guest on Vietnam’s achievements during the past 20 years of implementing the Doi Moi (Renewal) process and wished Mr Abdallah a successful visit.

The Tunisian Minister expressed his admiration for the Vietnamese people’s past struggle for national independence and freedom and praised their Renewal achievements over the past two decades. He informed his host about Tunisia’s achievements in economic development and national construction and said Tunisia wants to promote cooperation with Vietnam, particularly in trade, investment, agriculture and tourism.

Both expressed satisfaction at the significant development of bilateral relations in the recent past and affirmed their determination to bring relations to a new height in the coming years in the interests of the two countries and for the sake of peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

They spoke of preparations for an agreement on visa exemption for diplomatic, official and special passport holders, a protocol on consultations between the two Foreign Ministries, and an agreement on tourism cooperation.

The two FMs also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual concern and agreed to coordinate closely in international forums such as the United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement, to contribute to joint efforts for peace, stability and cooperation and for equal and mutually beneficial international relations based on the principles of respect for independence, sovereignty and non-intervention.

Mr Abdallah conveyed the Tunisian President’s invitation to State President Nguyen Minh Triet to visit Tunisia. He also invited Mr Khiem to visit the African country.

The invitation was accepted and the visit will be arranged through diplomatic channels.  

After the talks, they witnessed the signing of the three above mentioned agreements.

On June 27, the Tunisian Foreign Minister will attend a forum on Vietnam-Tunisia Partnership in the morning, and meet with National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong and State President Nguyen Minh Triet in the afternoon.