In Saudi Arabia, the delegation held talks with Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Nida Bin Obait Madani and met with the Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Ali Ibrahim An Naimi, the Minister of Commerce and Industry, Abdullah Bin Dainan Ali Dera, the deputy Minister of Labour, the Ministry of Agriculture, the managing director of the Development Fund and leaders of the Petroleum Group Aramco.

Mr Hung briefed attendees on Vietnam’s recent socio-economic development and reaffirmed that the country attaches great importance to strengthening bilateral ties with Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia also praised Vietnam’s achievements and its role in the region and the world and the Saudi Arabian Government is keen on fostering ties with Vietnam and hopes that 2010 will be a milestone in bilateral co-operative relations, especially in the fields of energy, investment, labour, trade and agriculture.

The two sides agreed to accelerate exchange visits and encourage businesses from the two countries to share information and boost co-operation.

At a working session with the UAE Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tariq Ahmed Al Haidan, the two sides discussed specific measures to enhance bilateral co-operation and implement signed agreements. They also agreed to work with each other to organise the first Vietnam-UAE joint committee meeting in early 2010.

During the visit, the delegation met with various businesses from the two countries.