Hanoi (VNA) – Iran wishes to promote comprehensivepartnership with Vietnam, Speaker of the Parliament of Iran Ali ArdeshirLarijani told Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc during their meeting in Hanoi on April16.

During the meeting, Larijani mentioned the close friendship andcooperation between Vietnam and Iran over the last 45 years, saying that as thetwo countries’ celebration of the 45th anniversary of theirdiplomatic ties (1973-2018) this year will open up new opportunities for thetwo sides to further expand the bilateral relations.

The Parliament of Iran has recently approved a master plan for thecountry’s development over the next five years which encourages foreign investmentin the fields of oil and gas, petrochemistry, liquefied petroleum gas andagriculture, said the top Iranian legislator.

Iran wants to cooperate with Vietnam in these areas, alongsideinformation technology, cyber-security and environmental protection, he noted,adding that Iran welcomes and will create all possible conditions for Vietnameseenterprises to do business in his country.

To raise two-way trade to 2 billion USD, he suggested the two countriesset up a direct air route and simplify visa procedures to boost tourism. Healso urged better coordination between the two sides in finance and bankingwhich is vital to increase bilateral trade.

PM Phuc, for his part, appreciated the proposals by his Iranian guest,saying they are closely aligned with the focus of the two nations’ cooperation.

Welcoming Larijani to attend the Vietnam – Iran business forum duringthis visit, Phuc said he has instructed relevant agencies to invite to the eventpotential Vietnamese companies that are interested in developing partnershipswith peers from Iran.

He asked Iran to back Vietnam’s candidacy for the UN Security Councilfrom 2020-2021 and suggested the two sides increase exchanges of high-level delegationsand closely work together to host celebrations of the 45th anniversary of the Vietnam-Iran diplomatic ties, thus promoting relations inall areas.

Vietnam encourages Iranian firms to trade and invest in the productionof agricultural products, an advantage of Vietnam, and welcomes Iran’scooperation in sea transportation, port construction and support industries,the PM said.

He asked the central banks of Vietnam and Iran to together work outways to remove barriers in payment between the two sides, thus facilitatingtrade activiites.

The Iranian leader agreed with PM Phuc, noting that he will directrelevant bodies to soon translate the ideas into reality for the benefits of bothsides as well as for peace and prosperity in the region and the world at large.

Larijani arrived in Hanoi on April 15for an official visit at the invitation of National Assembly Chairwoman NguyenThi Kim Ngan. He will be in the country until April 18.-VNA