President Trương Tấn Sang (left) talks with Speaker of the Iranian National Consultative Assembly Ali Larijani during his visit to Iran. — VNA/VNS Photo Nguyễn Khang

TEHRAN (VNS) — President Trương Tấn Sang held meetings with Speaker of the Iranian National Consultative Assembly Ali Larijani and Chairman of the Expediency Council of Iran Rafsanjani on March 14.

The meetings were part of his State visit to the country in the Middle East. 

The leaders noted with pleasure the fruitful development of the traditional friendship between Việt Nam and Iran in the past. 

President Sang spoke highly of the contributions that the National Consultative Assembly and the Expediency Council of Iran as well as the two leaders themselves have made to Iran’s development and the bilateral relationship between Iran and Việt Nam, especially through the first visit to Việt Nam by Rafsanjani in his capacity as Iranian President in October 1995.

He briefed his hosts on the outcomes of his talks with President Hassan Rouhani, during which the two sides compared notes on specific measures to strengthen the multi-faceted co-operation between the two countries.

The Vietnamese leader said the two countries’ legislative bodies should closely co-ordinate with each other in supervising and accelerating the realisation of bilateral commitments and agreements.He said he hoped with their prestige and role, the Speaker and the Chairman would constructively contribute to enhancing the traditional friendship between the two countries. 

President Trương Tấn Sang meets with ­­Chairman of the Expediency Council of Iran Rafsanjani on March 14. — VNA/VNS Photo Nguyễn Khang

For their part, the Iranian leaders affirmed their support for the all-round co-operation with Việt Nam, particularly in the economic field.

Speaker Larijani said the two sides should promptly set up collaborative efforts in the banking sector and expand the links between enterprises to create the foundation for further economic, trade and investment ties. 

Chairman Rafsanjani said Việt Nam and Iran shared many similarities in their history and both experienced tough periods of embargoes. 

He said trade and economic co-operation between the two countries remained modest, compared to their potential, and said both sides should mobilise all resources to improve ties in these fields. 

The chairman said bilateral ties should be expanded to the science and technology, education and culture, as well as economic sectors. 

President Sang used the occasion to extend National Assembly Chairman Nguyễn Sinh Hùng’s invitation to Speaker Larijani to visit Việt Nam at an early date.

While attending a Việt Nam-Iran business forum in Tehran yesterday, President Sang said Việt Nam and Iran need new leverage, political resolve and strong business will to fully tap into their economic potential.

The forum was attended by representatives of more than 200 Iranian enterprises operating in the sectors of construction, agriculture, mechanics, energy and food production. The Vietnamese side included those from more than 30 businesses such as the telecommunications group Viettel, the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (PVN) and the Vietnam Northern Food Corporation.

Speaking at the forum, Iranian Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade Mohammad-Reza Nematzadeh said the two countries had a longstanding relationship, but their trade ties had not been capitalised on due to the impact of sanctions. President Sang and entrepreneurs visited at the right time, which would promote business opportunities for both sides, he added.

The official noted that if payment and transportation barriers were overcome, they would make great strides in bilateral trade. The Vietnamese leader said the two sides should first explore each other’s goods demand, and address financial and banking issues to support their companies in seeking partnerships.

At the forum, Iranian officials and entrepreneurs agreed to join their Vietnamese counterparts to devise incentives for businesses and boost trade promotion activities.

On this occasion, President Sang witnessed the signing of a letter of intention on co-operation between the PVN and Iran’s Ghadir Group, and a memorandum of understanding on co-operation between the State Bank of Việt Nam and the Central Bank of Iran. — VNS