Visiting Chilean President Sebastian Pinera Echenique is given a warm welcome in Hanoi (Photo: VNA)

(VOV) - Vietnam and Chile have agreed to promote bilateral ties in all fields. The agreement was made in the Vietnam – Chile Joint Communique signed by President Truong Tan Sang and his visiting counterpart Sebastian Pinera Echenique in Hanoi Thursday. Both leaders valued the fine development in bilateral ties and agreed to maintain frequent visits by senior leaders, especially the political consultation between the 2 Foreign Ministries. They called for an early operation of the Joint Governmental Cooperation Committee and promote cooperation in potential areas, including mining, agriculture, telecoms, and climate change adaptation. The 2 leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation and support in multinational fora, such as the UN, the Non-Aligned Movement, APEC and the WTO. President Truong Tan Sang said the Chilean President’s visit would help deepen bilateral relations: “The Vietnam – Chile’s relations were set up by Presidents Ho Chi Minh and Salvador Allende , which have developed positively via frequent visits by government and national assembly leaders. We have cooperated closely in international organizations and fora. Bilateral trade ties have increased significantly and boast more opportunities to grow.”

President Sebastian Pinera Echenique said he was impressed with Vietnam’s history and recent development: “Vietnam has a time-honor history and I admire the country’s tradition of fighting for independence and contemporary development. Vietnam has a dynamic economy and is located in the Pacific which has bright prospect for growth. The FTA signed recently between Vietnam and Chile will help boost economic and trade ties.”

The Chilean President paid courtesy visits to Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong and held talks with Vietnamese Prime Minister and National Assembly Chairman the same day.