Vietnam, RoK urged to deepen strategic partnership

National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan (L) meets with RoK President Moon Jae-in (Photo: VNA)

The top Vietnamese legislator called on both nations to develop a stable and long-term relationship in order create a favourable environment for wider cooperation in spheres mentioned in the “Vietnam-RoK Joint Statement towards the Future”.

Vietnam desires to continue consolidating and building mutual trust between the two legislative bodies, she said and proposed both sides maintain regular exchanges and meetings between senior leaders as well as facilitating exchanges and cooperation between agencies at all levels and localities, thus deepening mutual understanding and fostering political trust.

Vietnam wants the RoK to continue assisting the country in improving law enforcement capacity at sea, and sharing experience in building and carrying out maritime strategies, Ngan noted.

She affirmed Vietnam’s willingness to offer the best possible conditions for RoK investors to become involved in the country’s key projects and encourage technology transfer in renewable energy.

Vietnam wishes to boost stronger collaboration in effectively carrying out the Vietnam-RoK Free Trade Agreement and the framework agreement between the two Governments on credits from the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) for the 2016-2020 period, Ngan added.

In reply, President Moon highlighted Vietnam as a strategic cooperation partner of the RoK in perse fields and voiced his hope that the two nations will further beef up cooperation, especially after the visit by NA Chairwoman Ngan.

He asked Ngan and the Vietnamese legislature to support Korean enterprises’ investments in Vietnam as a contribution to the two nations’ economic development.

As both countries share similarities in culture and history, said the RoK President, while describing Vietnam as a close friend of the RoK and hailing the contributions of the Vietnamese community to his nation’s development.

The RoK is pursuing the “New Southern Policy” with a focus on promoting ties with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), with Vietnam being one of the most important partners, he said.

He said he hopes Vietnam would support the RoK in enhancing ties with ASEAN as his nation is set to host the ASEAN-Korea Summit in the future.