Pakistanand Vietnam review bilateral relations

(2009-05-26)

The leader of the Pakistan delegation at ASEM Senior Officials Meeting (SOM), Additional Secretary Masood Khalid held a bilateral meeting with his counterpart from Vietnam at the Foreign Ministry on 25 May 2009.

Both sides expressed satisfaction over the existing warm and friendly relations, which were underpinned by commonality of values. They noted the need to have more frequent high-level bilateral exchanges which were going to provide added impetus to the bilateral relationship. The need to hold the meetings of Joint Economic Commission and schedule Bilateral Political Consultations was also emphasized.

The two sides exchanged views on possible areas for enhancing bilateral economic cooperation. They identified agriculture and fisheries sectors as having potential for bilateral collaboration. It was noted that Pakistani pharmaceutical products had great demand in Vietnam. A delegation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry will soon be undertaking a visit to Vietnam to explore avenues for bilateral economic collaboration. Both sides vowed to implement a road-map in fulfillment of their desire to promote mutually beneficial cooperation.

Pakistanproposed the establishment of a Joint Investment Company and conclusion of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Vietnam and Pakistan for furthering trade and economic cooperation. They also explored the possibility of expanding defence collaboration.

Vietnamreiterated its strong support for Pakistan’s desire for Full Dialogue Partnership with ASEAN.

On the occasion of the 9th ASEM Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, Pakistan presented a gift of thirty (30) computers to the host Foreign Ministry of Vietnam.

Islamabad
26 May 2009

202/2009