Mexican Deputy Minister for Foreign Relations Maria de Lourdes Aranda declared her commitment at a meeting with her Vietnamese counterpart, Le Van Bang, during the latter's visit to Mexico from March 1-2.

The two sides agreed to increase the exchange of visits by high-ranking officials to boost mutual understanding and discussions on the signing of agreements aimed at facilitating development of bilateral relations in the coming time.

They decided to increase cooperative ties between the two ministries of foreign affairs and bilateral meetings at multilateral forums of which Mexico and Vietnam are members.

Both officials spoke highly of the development of ties between Mexico and Vietnam in recent years, particularly in politics, economics, trade, science, technology, education, health care, culture and tourism.

Ms Aranda said two-way trade had increased considerably in the recent past to over US$300 million in 2006, and expressed hope for ASEAN strong boost in the future.

While staying in Mexico, Mr Bang, who is also a special envoy to Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, also met with Deputy Minister of Economy Leycegui Beatriz to discuss measures to step up trade and economic ties between the two countries.

The Mexican side proposed that Vietnam organise seminars on investment in infrastructures, construction and provide more information about industrial, agricultural, aquaculture, health care, educational and cultural sectors.