Viet Nam, Uzbekistan should step up energy and agriculture cooperation

Pham made the suggestion on Monday during his reception for Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan Bakhtiyor Saidov who is on a three-day official visit to Viet Nam.

Viet Nam always bears in mind Uzbekistan's whole-hearted assistance for its struggle for national independence and attaches importance to the traditional friendship with Uzbekistan , Prime Minister Pham affirmed.

He expressed his belief that Saidov's ongoing visit to Viet Nam would help promote and expand cooperation comprehensively via the Party, Government and National Assembly channels between the two countries.

Both countries should also beef up cooperation in education and training, culture and arts, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges in order to contribute to enhancing mutual understanding and friendship between the two sides' peoples.

The Vietnamese Government chief also asked the two countries to strengthen coordination at multilateral forums, reiterating that Viet Nam stands ready to act as a bridge between Uzbekistan and ASEAN Member States.

Pham also suggested Uzbekistan help Viet Nam reinforce cooperation with central Asian countries in the spirit of good friends and responsible partners.

Saidov, who is the first Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan to have visited Viet Nam since the two countries established diplomatic ties in 1992, expressed his pleasure to visit Viet Nam.

Uzbekistan wishes to further promote the traditional friendship and multi-faceted cooperation with Viet Nam, particularly in such fields like economy, trade, and investment, as cooperation potential between the two sides remains huge.

Earlier the same day, Saidov held talks with his Vietnamese counterpart Bui Thanh Son to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation at both bilateral and multilateral aspects./.