Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam wants to promotecomprehensive relations with Bhutan, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said at areception for visiting Chairman of the National Council (Upper House) of BhutanTashi Dorji in Hanoi on May 13.

He said the two countries have a lot ofhistorical, cultural, and religious similarities, so they are able to cooperateand share experience in national building and development.

The PM congratulated Bhutan on the achievements ithas gained over the years. Despite its small population, Bhutan prides itselfon having one of the highest happiness indexes in the world, he said.

Chairman Tashi Dorji highly appreciated Vietnam’sorganisation of the United Nations Day of Vesak 2019 celebration.

He said Bhutan has set up diplomatic relationswith 52 countries and the European Union. The two sides share many similarities in landscape,religion, and people, which are favourable conditions for developing thebilateral ties, he added.

Bhutan is working closely with Vietnam’sMinistry of Foreign Affairs to set up a bilateral consultation mechanismbetween the two foreign ministries, he said.

He added that Bhutan is also pushing ahead withagricultural reform and mechanisation, hoping to collaborate with Vietnam inagriculture, including importing farming machines from Vietnam and learning fromthe country’s experience in developing agriculture.

Dorji suggested increasing all-level delegationexchanges between the two sides and noted that the number of Vietnamesetourists to Bhutan is increasing.

PM Phuc hailed the opinions of the Bhutan chairmanand asked him to pay attention to promoting several activities, such ashigh-level delegations and people-to-people exchanges.

He urged the two sides to soon sign a visaexemption agreement for diplomatic and official passport holders, and anotheron bilateral consultation mechanism between the two foreign ministries to helppromote cooperation in various fields.

As bilateral trade remains modest, the PMsuggested the two countries enhance cooperation in fields of Bhutan’s interest,such as machinery and components for agriculture and manufacturing, as well aswooden furniture.

He recommended that the two sides boost their tourismpartnership by conducting direct charter flights to tap into their culturalsimilarities, especially Buddhism.

The PM hoped Bhutan will continue to create theoptimal conditions for Vietnamese citizens to live and work there.

Vietnam is willing to share experience in thefield of agriculture with Bhutan, he affirmed.

He also called on Bhutan to continue supportingand cooperating closely with Vietnam to ensure consensus at international andregional organisations which both are members to. –VNA