Hanoi (VNA)ꦚ – Vietnam hopes its relations with Venezuela will achieve important progress, especially in economy, trade and investment, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son told his Venezuelan counterpart Yván Gil Pinto during their talks in Hanoi on June 8.

Son also proposed that the two sides increase the exchange of delegations at all levels, including business delegations, and trade and investment promotion and business matching activities, facilitating market access by their key export products, and concretising cooperation and investment opportunities. Venezuelan minister Yván Gil Pinto shared his good impressions of Vietnam during his first visit, affirming that the Venezuelan Government always values and prioritises strengthening relations with Vietnam, its important partner in Asia-Pacific. Venezuela wants to consolidate and expand cooperation with Vietnam, both bilaterally and multilaterally, contributing to the construction and development of each country, the guest said. The two ministers expressed satisfaction with the positive developments in the two countries' relations over the past time, notably the results of the visit to Venezuela by Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang in April 2024. They stressed that the two sides need to continue to promote the effectiveness, flexibly implement the mechanism of political consultation at deputy foreign minister level and accelerating the early organisation of the meeting of the Vietnam-Venezuela Intergovernmental Cooperation Committee. The two sides should also review and promote negotiations on cooperation agreements, and create a legal framework for strengthening multifaceted ties. They agreed on a number of measures to deepen the multifaceted cooperation between the two countries in the coming time in the fields of politics, diplomacy, trade, agriculture, energy, culture, and people-to-people exchange. They also consented to increase the exchange of delegations at all levels and promote cooperation in new fields such as telecommunications, construction and pharmaceuticals. The two sides appreciated the potential for cooperation in energy, agriculture, pharmaceuticals and trade. The two ministers agreed to maintain coordination and support each other at international organisations and multilateral forums, especially the United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement. Discussing international and regional issues of mutual concern, they agreed that disputes need to be resolved by peaceful means on the basis of international law, with respect for the legitimate interests of the parties, contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world. During the June 7-8 visit, Minister Yván Gil Pinto laid a wreath and paid tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum in Hanoi, visited the President Ho Chi Minh relic site and several historical and cultural sites in Hanoi./.