Seoul (VNA) – Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung and the Republic of Korea’s(RoK) Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon agreed on measures to enhance mutual trust andunderstanding between Vietnam and the RoK, thus boosting the bilateralrelationship in a more effective and comprehensive manner.

They reached theconsensus during their meeting on December 3 as part of Deputy PM Dung’s visitto the RoK from December 2-6.

The two sidesconsented to maintain regular high-level visits and meetings, and step upresult-oriented cooperation in such areas as diplomacy, national defence, andsecurity.

They will alsostrengthen bilateral trade and investment ties, aiming to bring two-way trade to100 billion USD by 2020.

Deputy PM Dunghighly appreciated the RoK’s consideration of Vietnam as the top priority inits New Southern Policy and affirmed that Vietnam will continue to treasure itsrelations with the RoK.

He suggested thetwo sides bolster their coordination in order to create conditions for Vietnameseagricultural products to access and gain a firm foothold in the RoK; improve thecompetitiveness of Vietnamese goods; support Vietnamese startups; intensifytechnological transfer; and develop Vietnam’s support industry in an effort to reduceits trade deficit with the RoK.  

The officialcalled on the RoK to continue with its non-refundable aid as well asdevelopment and preferential credits to Vietnam, while effectively implementinglabour agreements between the two sides.  

Dung lauded theRoK’s investment projects in Vietnam, as well as Korean businesses’ increasedinvestment in Vietnam in spheres like the support industry, auto manufacturing,electronics and semi-conducting, energy and renewable energy, infrastructuredevelopment in industrial parks, smart city building, and agricultural modernisation.

The VietnameseGovernment stands ready to create the best possible conditions for RoKenterprises to invest in large-scale infrastructure projects through thepublic-private partnership (PPP) model, such as the North-South Expressway, andparticipate in the equitisation and divestment of state-owned enterprises, hestressed.

On thisoccasion, Dung applauded the RoK Government’s facilitation of visa grants toVietnamese citizens and appealed to the Korean side to pay more attention andprovide further support towards ensuring the rights and interests of Vietnamesein the country, especially Vietnamese nationals married to local spouses.

For his part, PMLee Nak-yon said Dung’s visit is crucial to promoting the bilateralrelationship and praised the cooperation achievements the two countries haverecorded in the 26 years since diplomatic ties were set up.

The RoKGovernment attaches importance to the strategic cooperative partnership withVietnam, he said, noting that he will instruct relevant ministries and agenciesof the RoK to successfully realise agreements reached by the two countries, inorder to elevate the bilateral relationship to a new height.

The same day, Deputy PM Dung hosted a reception for Chairman of the RoK’sruling Democratic Party (DP) Lee Hae-chan, during which he thanked the Koreanparty for supporting the development of the win-win relations with Vietnam. Hehoped that the party will continue its assistance in bolstering Vietnam-RoKties, with a focus on enhancing cooperation between the two parties andconsidering the signing of collaboration deals.

Lee stressed that he and the DP have always treasured and will further theirrelations with the Communist Party of Vietnam, contributing to strengtheningbonds between the two nations.

Receiving President of the Korea Foundation Lee Si-hyung, Dung spoke highly ofthe foundation’s implementation of the Next Generation Leaders Programme and severalother cultural exchange programmes. He suggested the organisation expand its cooperationwith Vietnam in the time ahead.

Lee, for his part, said that he will maintain and design more programmes forVietnamese officials at all levels to study and exchange development experiencein the East Asian country.

Dung also visited the Vietnamese Embassy and metwith the Vietnamese community in the RoK. Lauding the contributions made byVietnamese nationals towards developing relations with the RoK, he underlinedthat the Vietnamese Party and Government always see overseas Vietnamese as anintegral part of Vietnam, who have played an important part in fosteringcooperation and friendship between Vietnam and foreign countries across thefive continents, including the RoK.

Working with Vietnamese scientists who are working and studying in the RoK,Dung said that the scientists have played a starring role in helping thehomeland catch up with the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

He noted thatthe Party and Government have worked to complete the legal framework, facilitateVietnamese scientists’ activities in foreign countries and attract internationalexperts to join sci-tech activities in Vietnam.

“The Party and Government want to work alongside young scientists who not onlyhold the potential of the future, but are the best resources at present and theprospective owners of the country,” he added. –VNA