Vietnam, Iran hold high-level talks

The two State leaders reached the consensus at their talks in Tehran city on March 14 following a welcome ceremony for President Truong Tan Sang currently on a visit to Iran.

They agreed upon their stance on regional and international issues, especially at the UN and the Non-Aligned Movement, while offering mutual support at international forums and organisations.

The Iranian President said the visit by President Sang would open up a new period of cooperation between the two countries and highlighted the trip as a major event, especially at a time when Iran is to celebrate its traditional New Year.

President Truong Tan Sang reviews guard of honour

Both leaders argued that historical similarities and the mutual support of the people have provided fundamental foundations for the two nations to strengthen bilateral relations in the time ahead.

Vietnam and Iran boast huge potential to spur socio-economic development and they need to step up cooperation in economy, trade and investment to lift two-way trade to US$2 billion in the next five years, they noted.

They praised the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) and the Central Bank of Iran for signing a cooperation agreement thus laying a foundation to enhance investment and trade links.

The two sides pledged to offer the best possible for businesses to bolster cooperation in high-potential fields- agriculture, fisheries, industry, energy, telecommunication, automobile manufacturing, electricity, pharmaceutical products, spare parts, machinery, garment-textiles, mechanics, oil and gas, and tourism.

President Sang suggested Iran help the Vietnam National Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam) and the military-run telecom group Viettel expand investment in and to provide telecom services to Iran.

President Hassan Rouhani promised to encourage Iranian enterprises to cooperate with Vietnam in these fields.

The two Presidents said they will ask relevant ministries and agencies to make thorough preparations for the organisation of the ninth joint committee between the two nations in the Iranian capital Tehran.

They expressed conviction that businesses will strike cooperation agreements at a business forum on March 15.

In addition to economy and investment, the two State leaders also underlined the need to promote tourism, culture and people-to-people exchanges.

They concurred to strengthen student and expert exchanges. The Iranian President greatly valued the Persian language department in Vietnam and hopes it will open more courses on Iran.

Both host and guest were unanimous in accelerating negotiations towards the early signing of cooperation agreements in finance, floral quarantine and protection, information and communication.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and his Vietnamese counterpart Truong Tan Sang at a March 14 welcome ceremony

During the talks, they also compared notes on regional and international issues of shared concern such as terrorism, border and territorial disputes in Southeast Asia and the Asia-Pacific region.

President  Sang voiced his support for “The World Against Violence and Extremism” (WAVE) initiated by Iran.

Both sides affirmed they they would work hand in hand to maintain peace in the world, saying that all disputes must be settled through dialogues and peaceful means on the basis of respect for international law.

The two State leaders hold talks

On the occasion, State President Truong Tan Sang invited his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani to visit Vietnam. Iranian President thanked an promised to arrange a Vietnam visit Vietnam in the near future.

At a meeting with the media after the talks, President Hassan Rouhani once again expressed his admiration for Vietnam's past struggles for independence as well as its nation-building process. He said the two countries have many similarities and great potential for cooperation in various fields, especially in economics, trade and investment.