Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam pays heedsto fortifying its relations with Rwanda, a potential partner of the country in EastAfrica, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh stated onAugust 7.

He made the statement at a meeting in Hanoiwith Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Louise Mushikiwabo of the Republicof Rwanda, who is the first Rwandan senior official to visit Vietnam over thepast 10 year.

At the meeting, the two sides agreed onspecific measures to deepen bilateral relations toward effectiveness across differentspheres.

In politics, both host and guest voicedtheir support to increasing exchanges of delegations at different levels of thecountries’ Parties, Governments, parliaments, and authorities of localities.

They said bilateral people-to-peoplediplomacy needs to be promoted to boost solidarity and mutual understanding.

The host expressed his hope to welcomehigh-ranking Rwandan officials in the country.

Among measures to push up bilateral trade,the officials agreed to step up liaison on policies and market, facilitateenterprises from both sides, and encourage trade promotion activities viaforums, delegation exchanges, and exhibitions. 

They also exchanged measures to increasecooperation in agriculture, oil and gas, and defence-security. 

Louise Mushikiwabo said Rwanda is lookingfor Vietnam’s assistance in the fields of agriculture, mining, andtelecommunication, noting that the country welcomes Vietnamese firms to studyits market and set up partnerships.

The two officials agreed to soon sign aseries of legal documents, including agreements on trade, visa exemption for diplomaticand official passport holders, and on investment encouragement and protection.They also eyed a cooperation protocol between the two foreign ministries. Thesepacts aim at creating a favourable legal framework for bilateral ties.

Both host and guest affirmed theircommitments to enhancing mutual support and exchange at multilateral forumslike the UN and the International Francophone Organisation (OIF).

Deputy PM Minh stated Vietnam is a keymember of the Francophone community in Asia-Pacific, which has demonstrated itsrole and responsibilities in boosting the position of the community in theregion.

The two sides informed each other on theirnations’ respective affairs and exchanged views on regional and internationalmatters.

They highlighted their support for apeaceful solution of conflicts, including the East Sea issue, with respect todiplomatic and legal procedures based on international law, particularly the1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).-VNA