Vietnam, RoK should expand ties to more areas: PM

Vietnam and the Republic of Korea (RoK) are developing cooperation in many traditional aspects very well, and they should expand their ties to other fields in the time ahead, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc told RoK Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha in Hanoi on March 9.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) receives RoK Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha (Photo: NDO/Tran Hai)
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) receives RoK Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha (Photo: NDO/Tran Hai)

The host leader said the two countries’ cooperation has been developed in a rapid, effective and trustworthy manner. While political ties have been reinforced, economic and trade partnerships have been growing strongly, bringing benefits to both sides.

He welcomed the RoK’s New Look South policy with the aim of promoting peace, stability and development, which considers Vietnam a key partner.

He asked the countries to promote economic, trade and investment cooperation in a balanced, stable and effective fashion. They also need to take measures to boost bilateral trade to US$100 billion in 2020, promote trade balance, and remove quarantine obstacles to facilitate the export of Vietnamese agro-forestry-fishery products, including star apple, to the RoK in 2018.

PM Phuc expressed his hope that the RoK will continue to be the top investor in Vietnam, involving in major infrastructure projects, renewable energy development, equitisation of State-owned enterprises and restructuring of local commercial banks.

At the meeting, he also asked the country to step up technology transfer, help Vietnamese businesses to participate in the production chains of RoK firms, and assist Vietnam in developing support industries.

The Vietnamese Government will create the best possible conditions for RoK companies to successfully operate in the country. RoK businesses are welcomed to invest in infrastructure development such as the North-South Expressway and Long Thanh Airport, he noted, adding that more favourable conditions will be provided to attract the RoK’s high technology investment.

The PM asked the RoK Government to increase receiving Vietnamese workers, especially skilled ones, foster tourism cooperation to bolster people-to-people exchange and mutual understanding, and increase direct air routes.

For her part, Minister Kang Kyung-wha affirmed that her country pays special attention to the cooperation between the RoK and ASEAN, including Vietnam, which plays a very important role in this relationship.

The official said there are many Vietnamese people in the RoK and vice versa, which is a precious asset of both countries. The RoK Government is making efforts to support the Vietnamese community in her country.

VNA