High level talks promote Vietnam- Uzbekistan cooperation
The Vietnamese and Uzbekistani Prime Ministers discussed a number of measures to boost multifaceted cooperation between the two countries with a focus on economics, trade and investment.
Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung held talks with his Uzbekistani counterpart Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Tashkent on October 3 as part of his three-day official visit to Uzbekistan.
The two government leaders briefed each other on the political and socio-economic status and external policies of their respective countries and compared notes on international and regional issues of mutual concern.
PM Mirziyoyev praised Vietnam’s achievements during its renewal process and congratulated Mr Dung on his reelection as Prime Minister.
PM Dung noted the achievements Uzbekistan has recorded in maintaining socio-political stability, boosting economic development, and improving people’s standard of living which has raised the country’s status in Asia and international arena.
Mr Dung affirmed Vietnam’s unswerving policy of attaching great importance to developing its traditional relationship with countries including Uzbekistan.
Both sides voiced their determination to continue strengthening the ties of time-honoured friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation between Vietnam and Uzbekistan in the new era while agreeing to promote high-level exchange visits thus providing an impetus to enhance bilateral cooperation.
The two sides said that Vietnam-Uzbekistan bilateral economic and trade cooperation is still far from matching its potential. Two-way trade turnover reached only about US$18 million in 2010, and US$15.5 million in the first half of this year.
They agreed to devise more effective measures to support exports and imports, set up links between banks, promote trade and create the best possible conditions for businesses to increase cooperation in areas such as oil and gas exploration, agriculture, fertilizer, cotton and fiber production, building materials, electronics, information and technology, and telecommunications.
The two PMs also agreed to work on legal foundations for boosting bilateral cooperation in culture, sports, education, training and tourism.
They praised the Vietnam National Oil and Gas Group (PVN) for its efficient exploration of oil and gas in Uzbekistan and PM Dung stressed that oil and gas cooperation is a key area of bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
Mr Dung asked Uzbekistan to finalise internal procedures for signing an official contract between (PVN) and the Uzbekneftegaz national oil and gas holding company.
The Vietnamese Government is ready to create favourable conditions for Uzbekneftegaz to engage in oil and gas drilling and exploration on Vietnam’s continental shelf, he added.
PM Mirziyoyev said his government is always willing to facilitate oil and gas cooperation projects with Vietnam, as they also consider this one of the key areas for bilateral cooperation.
During their talks, the two PMs assigned leaders from relevant ministries and sectors to work out specific cooperation measures.
On the occasion, Mr Dung invited Mr Mirziyoyev to visit Vietnam at his convenience and the invitation was accepted with great pleasure. The date of the visit will be arranged through official diplomatic channels in the future.
After the talks, the two leaders witnessed the signing of a government agreement on quarantine procedures for transporting plants across national borders and a cooperation agreement between Hanoi National University and Tashkent State University.