Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung’s visits to Qatar and Kuwait serve as a new landmark in relations between Vietnam and these two countries as well as other countries in the Gulf region, said Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Doan Xuan Hung.
The visits, lasting from March 7-12, would pave the way for long-term and effective bilateral cooperation in investment, finance, energy, agriculture, trade, labor and petroleum, he said.
Leaders of these two nations affirmed their determination to intensify solidarity, friendship and cooperation with Vietnam.
During the Qatar visit, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and his Qatari counterpart Hamad Bin Jassem Bin Jaber Al-Thani witnessed the signing of a series of agreements on double taxation avoidance, investment promotion and protection, aviation transport cooperation, and agricultural cooperation.
They said they would urge the signing of visa exemption agreements for diplomatic and official passport holders.
The two leaders discussed orientations and measures to further strengthen bilateral cooperation and agreed to establish partnerships in energy and foodstuff while expanding investments and finances with the running of a joint investment fund worth USD 1 billion.
Mr. Dung asked the Qatari Emir to urge the implementation of bilateral cooperation projects, such as encouraging Qatar to join in oil refinery projects in Vietnam and facilitating Vietnam to join in oil investment, exploration and development in Qatar and the Gulf region.
The Emir suggested the establishment of a bilateral cooperation agency, which would biannually meet to review cooperation projects.
In talks with Emir of Kuwait Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Mr. Dung said Vietnam attached great importance to developing cooperative relations with Kuwait as an important partner in the Middle East, while the Emir confirmed that he fully supported bilateral cooperation in petroleum, real estate, investment and finance, where Kuwait has advantage.