Hanoi(VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc proposed that Vietnam and Chile focuson promoting sound traditional relationship and enhance cooperation in new areas,such as science technology and defence, during a meeting with visiting ChileanPresident Michelle Bachelet in Hanoi on November 9.

PM Phuc thanked PresidentBachelet for supporting Vietnam in hosting the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week.Vietnamese people always refer Chile as a friend who is always stands besideand supports Vietnam, he stated.

He also laudedPresident Bachelet for attending the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week, which hedescribed as a contribution to the success of the event.

The VietnameseGovernment welcomes outcomes of talks between President Tran Dai Quang andPresident Bachelet, he said, adding that the Chilean leaders’ visit will makepractical contributions to the growth of the Vietnam-Chile friendship andall-round partnership.

For her part, PresidentBachelet said that Chile always supports Vietnam, not only in the past strugglefor national liberation but also in current national construction anddevelopment.

Chile has recognisedVietnam’s market economy mechanism as well as the country’s efforts to expandrelations with nations around the world, she said.

The Chilean Presidentbriefed her host on results of her talks with President Tran Dai Quang. Shesaid that the two sides shared many measures to boost bilateral trade andconnect business communities of the two countries in the coming time.

Chile hopes to learnfrom Vietnam in rice cultivation, she stated, expressing wish to cooperatewith Vietnam in weather forecasting as Chile owns modern research centres inthis field.

On the occasion, PresidentBachelet expressed her sympathy to Vietnam over heavy losses due to the recent stormand floods. She asserted that the two sides should work closer together inclimate change response.

She highly valued Vietnamfor assisting Chile in fostering cooperation with ASEAN.

She noted thatpolitical relations between the two countries have developed, while existing cooperationmechanisms have proven effectiveness, adding that Chilean and Vietnameseenterprises should enhance partnership. She suggested that both sides removeobstacles to increase the trade of agriculture products as well as promotecooperation in defence, security, peacekeeping, science and technology, whilesupporting each other at multilateral forums.

Sharing President Bachelet’s ideas, PM Phuc proposed that the two sidesmaintain and increase exchanges of delegations, especially high-level ones.

He pledged to directministries and sectors to effectively implement agreements reached between thetwo countries to bolster trade and investment partnership, especially inprocessing, seafood, and climate change response.

The PM asked theChilean leader to create favourable conditions for Vietnamese farm produce,especially mango, lychee and longan, to access the Chilean market.

He said that Vietnamwill import more Chilean products. Vietnam is also willing to transfer ricecultivation techniques to Chile, he vowed, adding that Vietnam and Chile shouldimprove collaboration in new areas such as science-technology and defence.

Vietnam will supportand cooperate with Chile in organising APEC 2019, he stated.-VNA