Hanoi (VNA) - Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son on October 25 held talks with his Lithuanian couterpart Gabrielius Landsbergis who is in Hanoi for an official visit to Vietnam and attendance at the OECD Southeast Asia Ministerial Forum.

FM Son spoke highly of the trip by Minister Landsbergis, the first foreign ministerial-level visit between the two countries since Vietnam and Lithuania established diplomatic relations in 1992, saying that this is an important milestone to create new momentum to further strengthen the bilateral relations.

Son affirmed that Vietnam always treasures and wishes to strengthen all-around cooperation with Lithuania.

For his part, Landsbergis expressed his impression of Vietnam's socio-economic development achievements and increasingly important role and position in the region and the world, while affirmed that Lithuania always attaches importance to and wants to expand relations with Vietnam - Lithuania's priority partner in Southeast Asia.

The two ministers talked about the situation of each country and cooperative relationship between the two countries.

They acknowledged positive progress in a number of important areas of the bilateral relations in recent times, but noted that those are not commensurate with their desires. They said that there is ample room for the two nations to further step up the relationship.

The FMs discussed solutions to strengthen multi-faceted cooperation in the coming time, including enhancing exchange of all-level delegations, maintaining the political consultation mechanism between the two foreign ministries, coordinating to effectively implement the newly-signed cooperation agreement between the two ministries, and closely coordinating and supporting each other at multilateral and international forums.

Regarding economics and trade cooperation, the two sides agreed to further boost cooperation in potential fields such as farm produce processing to diversify supply chains of both countries.

FM Son took the occassion to thank Lithuania for supporting Vietnam in the process of negotiation and signing of the EU - Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), and being one of the first EU member states to ratify the EU- Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA).

He proposed Lithuania contribute its voice to recognise Vietnam's efforts in fully and seriously implementing the recommendations of the European Commission (EC) on sustainable fisheries development, and to urge the EC to soon remove its “yellow card” warning against Vietnamese seafood.

Minister Landsbergis assessed Vietnam as one of the potential markets in Southeast Asia, suggesting Vietnam create more favourable conditions for Lithuania’s agricultural products such as beef, poultry, eggs, and fertilizer to enter the Vietnamese market.

The two ministers also agreed to promote cooperation in high technology, information technology, education - training, agriculture, and culture - tourism.

FM Son suggested the Lithuanian government continue to create favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community to integrate into and live stably in the host country, thus contributing to local socio-economic development, and upholding their role as a bridge promoting friendly relations and multi-faceted cooperation between the two countries.

The two sides also discussed international and regional issues of mutual concern and emphasised the importance of resolving disputes by peaceful measures on the basis of international law, especially the United Nations Charter.

After their talks, they signed a cooperation agreement between the two foreign ministries./.