Ha Noi, Pyongyang strengthen regional links for peace, security

President Truong Tan Sang and Kim Yong-nam, chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK view the honour guard at the Presidential Palace in Ha Noi. — VNA/VNS Photo Nguyen khang

HA NOI — Viet Nam and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) yesterday agreed to strengthen co-ordination at regional and international forums, such as at the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).

They said this should be done while strengthening the exchange of views on issues of common concern.

The announcement was made during a welcome by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong to visiting chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of DPRK, Kim Yong-nam, in Ha Noi yesterday.

On the Korean Peninsula issue, President Truong Tan Sang, who met the North Korean leader separately, said Viet Nam consistently supported a peaceful, stable and nuclear-free Korean Peninsula.

He said Viet Nam wanted concerned parties to make efforts to promote dialogue and take practical actions to boost nuclear non-proliferation on the peninsula.

Regarding the East Sea issue, Kim Yong-nam said he supported the settlement of disputes and emerging issues through peaceful dialogue to strengthen friendship among countries and ensure regional peace and stability.

Trong described the visit as a contribution to the consolidation and strengthening of friendship and co-operation between the two Parties, States and nations, re-affirming Viet Nam's standpoint on Korean Peninsula issues.

Kim briefed Trong on the current DPRK situation and congratulated Viet Nam on its great achievements during the national construction and development under the leadership of the Communist Party of Viet Nam.

The two leaders agreed to continue the unceasing consolidation of friendship and co-operation fostered by President Ho Chi Minh and President Kim Il-sung.

They agreed on the need to maintain visits by delegations and seek ways of improving measures to improve bilateral ties in all fields.

At his meeting, President Sang described the DPRK leader's visit as an important contribution to the development of the traditional friendship and co-operation between the two countries.

The two sides agreed to promote consolidation and development of their friendly ties to meet the aspirations of the two nations and contribute to peace, stability, co-operation and development in the region.

They said that in the immediate future, the Viet Nam-DPRK Inter-Governmental Committee for Economic, Scientific and Technological Cooperation should focus on measures to remove barriers.

The Vietnamese side welcomed visits by the DPRK delegations at all levels to share experiences and study Viet Nam's national construction and development.

The two sides agreed to enhance co-operation in agriculture, culture, art, sports, education-training, and people-to-people exchange.

Viet Nam also supported dialogue, reconciliation, co-operation and peaceful reunification between the two Koreas, and did not back the use or threat of force.

President Sang sent condolences and deep sympathies to Kim Yong-nam and the DPRK people over serious human and property losses caused by recent natural disasters.

He also informed his guest of Viet Nam's decision to provide 5,000 tonnes of rice for the DPRK people. — VNS