Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc greets Haitian Senate President

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc told President of the Senate of Haiti, Youri Latortue, that the Vietnamese Government wishes to push forward practical and effective ties with the Haitian Government, during a reception in Hanoi on June 20.

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc (right) receives President of the Senate of Haiti, Youri Latortue. (Photo: VNA)

The PM hailed the first visit by Latortue as opening a new period of reinforcing bilateral parliamentary ties, and expressed his belief that via the visit, both sides will discuss concrete steps to strengthen relations between the two legislatures and governments.

The host lauded the gradual refinement of the legal framework and bilateral cooperation mechanisms, notably the signing of the government-level framework agreement on trade and investment and the establishment of the Inter-Committee on Economic Cooperation and Investment Protection. The two sides also actively negotiated a cooperation agreement with regards to culture, sports and tourism.

He expressed his desire that the two nations will effectively realise signed agreements, including a memorandum of understanding on rice trade signed in December 2012.

Vietnam and Haiti should maintain close liaisons at international organisations and multilateral forums, especially at the United Nations, PM Phuc said, suggesting that further attention should be paid to the partnership across telecommunications, agriculture, construction, tourism infrastructure, culture, energy, electrical equipment, constructional materials and consumer goods.

Latortue, for his part, praised the regular exchange of high-level delegations and collaboration in telecommunications and agriculture.

He said his visit aims to further foster political, cultural, diplomatic ties with Vietnam, and he hopes that Vietnam will soon open an embassy in Haiti to promote links all round.

Haiti considers Viettel’s involvement in the Natcom joint-venture to be a symbol of bilateral ties, he said.

In agriculture, Latortue said Haiti will continue buying rice from Vietnam and asked for Vietnam’s support in high-yield rice production.

In the morning of the same day, he paid a floral tribute to late President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum and attended the NA’s plenary session.

(Source: NDO)