Hanoi (VNA) – Prime MinisterPham Minh Chinh received Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Vietnam Mohammed IsmaeilA. Dahlwy in Hanoi on March 29, highly valuing his guest’s activeness inhelping strengthen friendship and cooperation.

The PM expressed his beliefthat the ambassador will contribute to improved bilateral relations, adding that the Vietnamese Government will order relevant agencies to coordinate with andassist the diplomat to fulfil his duties.

Implementing the foreign policy ofindependence, self-reliance, diversification, and multilateralisation ofexternal relations, and being a good friend, trustworthy partner, andresponsible member of the international community, Vietnam wishes to intensifycooperation with Middle Eastern countries, of which Saudi Arabia is a major andinfluential nation, PM Chinh noted.

Ambassador Mohammed Ismaeil A. Dahlwyhighlighted the increasingly enhanced relations between the two countries,saying he hopes bilateral ties will continue to be promoted more strongly.

PM Chinh and the Saudi ArabianAmbassador applauded the progress in cooperation in recent times. SaudiArabia is now one of its leading economic partners in the MiddleEast, with bilateral trade rising 32.4% year on year to 2.7 billion USD in2022.

However, much potential forcooperation remains, especially in economy, trade, and investment, they opined.

The Government leader of Vietnamasked the two sides to work more closely to develop their multifacetedcooperation in a substantive and effective manner.

He called on them to continueconsolidating political trust, increase all-level mutual visits, further bringinto play cooperation mechanisms, and hold the fifth meeting of theInter-governmental Committee in 2023 early. He also proposed Saudi Arabia, withits role and influence, support Vietnam to finalise procedures for singing thememorandum of understanding with the Secretariat General of the GulfCooperation Council (GCC).

Asking both sides to facilitate theexport of their goods to each other’s markets, the PM urged Saudi Arabia tocreate conditions for the import of Vietnam’s strong products that are indemand in the Middle Eastern country like rice, tea, peppercorn, coffee,rubber, textile, and garment, completely lift the temporary suspension ofVietnam’s fishery products since January 2018, and help the Southeast Asiannation develop the halal industry and access Islamic markets.

Vietnam welcomes and is ready toprovide optimal conditions for investment funds and enterprises of SaudiArabia, PM Chinh affirmed, suggesting the two sides sign an investmentpromotion and protection agreement early to create a favourable legal frameworkand investment climate for bilateral investment.

He voiced his hope forreinforced partnerships in the digital economy, green economy, circular economy,tourism, and labour.

Agreeing with his host, Ambassador MohammedIsmaeil A. Dahlwy said Saudi Arabia is working closely with Vietnamese agenciesto carry out cooperation in line with the priority order.

At the meeting, both host and guesthighly valued the two countries’ coordination and mutual support atmultilateral and regional forums.

Vietnam is ready to support SaudiArabia to bolster ties with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)and to boost cooperation between ASEAN and the GCC. Saudi Arabiacontinues supporting ASEAN and Vietnam’s stance on resolving peacefully disputes in the East Sea and ensuring the freedom of navigation and overflightin the waters for the sake of regional and global peace, stability,cooperation, and development, they added./.