VN-Ukraine relations still thrive after ‘ups, downs'

National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong shakes hand with the Chairman of Ukraine's parliament, Volodymyr Lytvyn. — VNA/VNS Photo Tri Dung

HA NOI — Viet Nam wanted to maintain and develop friendly relations with Ukraine, National Assembly Nguyen Phu Trong told the visiting Chairman of Ukraine's parliament, Volodymyr Lytvyn.

Speaking with Lytvyn at a reception in Ha Noi yesterday, Trong said he believed the visit would open up new bilateral prospects between the two countries and help co-operation in the region and the world.

"Although there have been ups and downs, Viet Nam-Ukraine relations are thriving again," Trong said.

He said that while Viet Nam had made important achievements, it remained a poor country and needed help from international friends, including Ukraine.

Trong said Viet Nam had consistently implemented a foreign policy of independence and self-control, diversification and multilateralisation of international relations. This was to build an international environment of peace, socio-politic stability, speed up industrialisation and modernisation.

In reply, Lytvyn said the visit of his delegation spoke volumes about the continuation of traditional friendship and co-operation.

He said Ukraine and Viet Nam shared many similarities and potentials, enabling them to supplement each other's development.

He said Ukraine paid special attention to developing friendly relations with Viet Nam when implementing its foreign policy.

Lytvyn said he hoped the two sides would continue supporting each other on regional and international forums and that Viet Nam would help Ukraine strengthen relations with ASEAN.

Lytvyn said two-way trade totalled a modest US$200 million in the first nine months of this year.

He took an interest in speeding up the two sides' co-operation in education, considering it as a foundation for relations in the future.

He said the decision to start direct flights from Viet Nam to Ukraine would help create favourable conditions for co-operation.

He suggested there be further increases in exchanges and co-operation between the two legislatures and called for the establishment of parliamentarians' groups from the two countries.

The chairman said Ukraine had strengths in engineering and industrial equipment while Viet Nam could provide agro-forestry products, seafood, clothing and handicrafts. — VNS