President Triet confirms close ties with Saudi Arabia

Vietnam considers Saudi Arabia one of its leading partners, said Mr Triet, adding that cooperative ties between the two countries have grown and flourished in recent times.

President Nguyen Minh Triet addresses the Consultative Council on April 11

He briefed the council’s members on the result of his talks with King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, during which they agreed to foster friendship and cooperation and increase the exchange of visits at all levels.

He said both sides agreed to establish a strategic partnership on energy and food as soon as possible to make full use of their strengths, namely the oil industry and agricultural production.

Such a partnership will help ensure energy and food security for both countries no matter what happens, said Mr Triet.

He said Vietnam and Saudi Arabia will employ measures to raise two-way trade to more than US$1 billion in the next 2-3 years from the current US$460 million. They will create the best possible conditions for their commodities to enter larger Southeast Asian and Middle East markets.

The two countries will increase investment promotions and the number of Vietnamese guest workers in the Middle East nation. They will continue to negotiate and sign additional agreements to lay a firm legal foundation for expanding trade and investment ties.

He voiced Vietnam’s support for the international community’s efforts to restore peace in the Middle East and promised to work closely with Saudi Arabia to achieve the goal.

He expressed his belief that acting as the legislative body, the Consultative Council will make an active contribution to strengthening friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries. 

The President proposed that the Consultative Council and the Vietnam National Assembly establish cooperative links to share information and experience.

Later, Mr Triet visited the Vietnamese Embassy, where he met with embassy officials, staff and representatives of Vietnamese workers in Saudi Arabia.

He reminded the officials and staff to grasp main diplomatic tasks of the Party and State to promote bilateral cooperation, especially in economics. He also asked the workers to study local customs and language and observe local law to work there in the longer term.