Prime Minister Phan Van Khai received in Hanoi on Monday Chilean Minister of Foreign Affairs Ignacio Walker Prieto during his three-day visit to Vietnam from January 21-23.

PM Khai warmly welcomed Mr Walker’s first visit to Vietnam since the two countries established diplomatic ties in 1971. Mr Khai said he highly values Chile’s economic achievements in recent years and affirmed that Vietnam wants to further strengthen co-operation with the country, especially in economics, trade and investment. Mr Khai expressed sincere thanks for Chile’s effective support for Vietnam, particularly the early signing of the agreement to conclude negotiations for Vietnam’s accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO), and the sharing of experience to help Vietnam host the APEC Summit.

On the occasion, Mr Khai sent his best regards to Chilean President Ricardo Lagos and other leaders. He also sent congratulations to Michelle Bachelet who was elected the new president of Chile, and extended an invitation to her to visit Vietnam.

Minister Walker also expressed his admiration for Vietnam’s historic struggle for national independence, as well as its great achievements in the renewal and international integration process. He said that Chile attaches great importance to its relations with Vietnam as part of its policy towards Asia-Pacific region.

The two sides highly valued the friendly relationship and multilateral co-operation between the two countries, especially the successful implementation of the agreements signed during exchange visits by the two countries’ leaders.

Earlier on Monday, Vietnamese Foreign Minister Nguyen Dy Nien held talks with Mr Walker, during which the two ministers discussed regional and international issues of mutual concern. Chile affirmed it will further support Vietnam’s bid to join the WTO early and host the APEC Summit in late 2006.

The two ministers agreed that opening embassies in the two countries’ capital cities is a key task that will help strengthen bilateral relations. They also said that Vietnam and Chile have many similarities in socio-economic development and poverty reduction strategies and have great potential to expand co-operation in economics, trade, investment, culture, education and tourism.

After the talks, the two ministers signed a statement on cultural co-operation and witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding on tourism co-operation between the Director General of the Vietnam Administration of Tourism Vo Thi Thang and Chilean Ambassador to Vietnam Fernando Ayala.