Vietnam and the Dominican Republic have signed an agreement on visa exemptions for diplomat and official passport holders and a Memorandum of Understanding on the establishment of reference mechanisms between their Foreign Ministries.

The signing took place after talks in Hanoi on August 30 between Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem and Dominican Republic Foreign Minister Carlos Morales Troncoso.

The two FMs discussed specific measures to strengthen friendship and cooperation between the two countries and the two Foreign Ministries.

“Vietnam wants to further develop ties with the Dominican Republic and the Latin American region as a whole, particularly in economics, trade, investment, agriculture and tourism,” said Mr Khiem.

Meanwhile, Minister Troncoso expressed his admiration at Vietnam’s past struggle for independence and national reunification as well as its present economic development. He highlighted Vietnam’s role and position in his country’s external policy of looking towards Asia.

They agreed to conduct an exchange of high-level visits to promote mutual understanding and seek measures to enhance bilateral cooperation in areas of strength such as tourism, mining, farm product processing, production of electrical and electronic appliances, machinery and means of transport. They also agreed to speed up negotiations for the early signing of treaties and agreements to establish a legal foundation for bilateral cooperation as well as encouraging businesses to set up links and penetrate each other’s markets.

Host and guest exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual concern, including the two countries’ coordination at bilateral and multi-lateral forums, such as the UN, the Non-Aligned Movement and the East Asia-Latin America Cooperation Forum.

Mr Khiem thanked the Dominican Republic for supporting Vietnam’s accession to the World Trade Organisation and its candidacy as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2008-09 term.

Source: VOV