During talks with the Timor-Leste Foreign Minister Zacarias Albano da Costa in Hanoi on September 15, the Vietnamese deputy PM praised the national construction and development in the Southeast Asian country in recent years. 

He also affirmed Vietnam’s support for Timor-Leste’s efforts in national stability, security and social order, as well as in national development. 

The Timor-Leste FM praised Vietnam’s achievements in its renewal process as well as its implementation of foreign policies and international integration. 

The government of Timor-Leste takes Vietnam as a model in terms of national construction and development and looks forward to increased friendship and multifaceted cooperation with the country. 

The two sides expressed their pleasure at the development of economic and trade cooperation between the two countries over the last years.

Two-way trade value increased from US$5 million in 2003 to US$56 million in 2008. Notably, the figure rose to US$71 million in the first seven months of 2009. 

The two sides agreed to soon sign framework agreements on economic, cultural and scientific-technology cooperation, encouragement and protection of investment, and rice trading as well as establishing a joint committee between the two countries. 

They also stressed the necessity of expanding cooperation to the fields of agriculture, fisheries, oil and gas and construction. 

They agreed to maintain bilateral cooperation between the two nations at regional and international forums, including the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the United Nations.