During the meeting, Hosseini said in its “Look East” policy, Iran attaches great importance to relations with Southeast Asian countries, including Vietnam.
There is great potential for the two countries to expand cooperation but their economic and trade ties are still limited, not commensurate with the bilateral political relations, he said, urging the two sides to strive to lift two-way trade to 2 billion USD in the coming time, and accelerate the implementation of agreements and memorandums of understanding (MOU) signed and agreed between the two countries.
Iran is ready to support Vietnam to organise a cultural week in Iran, and hopes to welcome more tourists from Southeast Asia, especially Vietnamese visitors, he stated.
During the working session with the Vietnamese official, Iranian Defence Minister Ashtiani proposed the two sides enhance the exchange of all-level delegations to share experience in technology, military medicine, information technology, and demining.
For his part, Phuong said he supports bringing the Vietnam-Iran cooperation relationship to a new height for the mutual benefit of the two peoples, while suggesting the two sides coordinate closely to organise activities to celebrate the 50th founding anniversary of the Vietnam - Iran diplomatic ties in 2023.
He underlined the need to promote the exchange of high-ranking delegations and parliamentary specialised agencies as well as the sharing of information and experience in law-making and supervision; and review and promote the implementation of agreements and MOUs signed between the two countries.
In the meeting with Governor of Isfahan Mortazavi, NA Vice Chairman Phuong affirmed that Vietnam and Iran in general as well as localities of the two countries in particular have great potential for cooperation, expressing the hope that Vietnamese and Iranian localities will promote twinning relations in the time to come.
Mortazavi said the locality hopes to welcome Vietnamese delegations to explore and discuss the possibility of cooperation, affirming the readiness to organise trade and investment promotion activities for businesses of the two sides.
He took the occasion to suggest the Vietnamese side consider early establishing a twinning relations between Isfahan and HCM City.
On December 6, NA Vice Chairman Phuong and his entourage concluded their working visit to Iran.
