NhanDan Online Tue Mar 11 2003

Vietnam willing to co-operate with East Timor: PM

Vietnam is willing to co-operate with East Timor and create favourable conditions for the latter to develop its economy, said Prime Minister Phan Van Khai.

Prime Minister Khai told East Timorese Minister of Foreign Affairs and Co-operation Ramos Horta, in Hanoi on March 10, that the Vietnamese government will instruct concerned sectors to inquire into the market and seek opportunities for co-operation with East Timor, for promoting peace and stability in the region and the world at large.

Ramos Horta arrived in Hanoi on March 7 for a six-day official visit to Vietnam as guest of Foreign Minister Nguyen Dy Nien.

Mr Khai expressed his sympathy with East Timor, saying the two countries have many historical similarities and, like East Timor, Vietnam started its national construction as a poor country.

The East Timorese foreign minister expressed his wish for expansion of the multi-faceted co-operation with Vietnam and other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). He said he hoped the two countries would exchange visits by high-level delegations and businesses with a view to boosting co-operation in health, fisheries and agriculture in the interest of the two peoples.

Earlier, Minister Ramos Horta held talks with Foreign Minister Nguyen Dy Nien, who welcomed the East Timorese foreign minister's first visit as the East Timorese government's sign of respect for boosting their friendship and co-operation with Vietnam.

Minister Ramos Horta affirmed Vietnam's role and position in the region and the world. He expressed his country's determination to strengthen its friendship and comprehensive co-operation with Vietnam.

The two foreign ministers discussed orientations and measures to boost bilateral co-operation and compared notes on regional and international issues of mutual concern.

Vietnam and East Timor established diplomatic relations in July of 2002. They both want to promote co-operation for peace, co-operation and development in commerce, agriculture, oil and gas industry, construction and health care. They also agreed to co-ordinate with each other in the international forum.

Minister Ramos Horta also had working sessions with Trade Minister Truong Dinh Tuyen, Fisheries Minister Ta Quang Ngoc, Deputy Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vu Tien Loc and Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Pham Hong Giang. (VNA)

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