Meeting marks 40 years of Vietnam-Pakistan relations
(VOV) - The Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) held a meeting in Hanoi on December 28 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Vietnam and Pakistan (1972-2012).
At the ceremony, VUFO Vice President Don Tuan Phong reviewed the significant developments in the two countries’ friendship and cooperation over the last 40 years.
He said the two countries have exchanged many high-ranking delegations, in which common consciousness and agreements by both senior leaders created an important premise for multi-faceted cooperation between Vietnam and Pakistan.
Bilateral economic relations have gained remarkable results. Two-way trade increased rapidly from below US$10 million in 1999 to US$324 million in 2011.
The two countries also cooperated in technology, science, culture, security and defence, and supported each other at international forums, Phong added.
The Pakistani Ambassador in Vietnam, Shahid M.G. Kiani, praised Vietnam’s efforts to promote their trade and economic relations, in particular the organisation of the two sessions of the Vietnam-Pakistan Joint Ministerial Commission and the two countries’ Joint Trade Commission in Hanoi and Islamabad.
Phong and Kiani expressed their hope that with development momentum and experience gained in the last 40 years, comprehensive cooperation and friendship will bring practical benefits to both peoples, as well as peace, stability and prosperity to the region and the world.