President Truong Tan Sang (middle) and his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani receive a guard of honour during a welcoming ceremony in Tehran. — VNA/VNS Photo Nguyen Khang

TEHRAN (VNS) — President Trương Tấn Sang and his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani have agreed to increase the exchange of high-level delegations and meetings between the two countries.

The consensus was reached during the two leaders’ talks in the Iranian capital Tehran yesterday as part of President Sang’s State visit to the Middle East country.

The host and the guest were unanimous in their stance on regional and international issues, especially at the United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement, while supporting each other at international forums and organisations.

The Iranian President described President Sang’s visit as a major event, particularly at a time when Iran is about to welcome its traditional New Year, saying that it opened up a new period of co-operation between the two countries.

Việt Nam and Iran had both experienced wars and embargoes, he said, suggesting the two countries make greater efforts to fulfil joint targets in the interests of their peoples.

The leaders held that historical similarities and the mutual support of the two countries’ peoples have served as fundamental foundations for bilateral ties to further develop.

They said both countries had enormous potential to boost socio-economic development and should strive to further co-operate in economy, trade and investment to raise two-way trade to US$2 billion in the next five years.

They hailed the State Bank of Việt Nam and the Central Bank of Iran for signing a co-operation agreement, which creates a foundation to enhance the trade and investment affiliation between the two nations.

The two sides pledged to create all favourable conditions for businesses to increase collaboration in high-potential fields such as agriculture, fisheries, industry, and energy, in addition to telecommunication, automobile manufacturing, electricity, and pharmaceutical products. The sectors of spare parts, machinery, garment and textiles, and mechanics, along with oil and gas, and tourism would also see favourable conditions being created for them.

President Sang proposed that Iran enable the Việt Nam National Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam) and the military-run telecom group Viettel to expand investment and provide telecom services to Iran.

The host promised to encourage Iranian enterprises to co-operate with Việt Nam in these fields.

The two leaders said they would ask relevant ministries and agencies to actively prepare for the organising of the 9th joint committee between the two countries in Tehran.

They expressed their hope that the businesses of the two countries would reach co-operation agreements at a business forum on March 15.

In addition to economy and investment, the presidents also stressed the need to expand affiliation to tourism, culture and people-to-people exchanges.

They agreed to increase exchanges between students and experts. The Iranian President appreciated the Persian language department in Việt Nam and hopes the Southeast Asian country will open more courses on Iran.

Both, host and guest, were unanimous in pushing ahead with negotiations towards the early signing of co-operation agreements in finance, floral quarantine and protection, and information and communication.

They also discussed regional and international issues of mutual concern such as terrorism, and border and territorial disputes in Southeast Asia and Asia-Pacific.

President Sang showed his support for “The World Against Violence and Extremism” (WAVE) initiated by Iran.

The two sides confirmed they would work closely together to make active contributions to maintaining peace in the world, adding that all disputes must be settled through dialogues and peaceful means based on respecting international law.

President Hassan Rouhani said he would make a Viet Nam visit in the near future.

President Sang is on State visits to Tanzania, Mozambique and Iran from March 9 to March 15. — VNS