VietNamNet Bridge – President Truong Tan Sang held talks with his Austrian counterpart, President Heinz Fischer, after an official welcome ceremony in Ha Noi yesterday, May 29.

At the talks, Sang said the visit – at a time when the two countries were preparing for the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties – marked a development in the tradition of friendship and fine co-operation between Viet Nam and Austria.

Fischer said he was pleased to return to Viet Nam after his 1997 visit as the Chairman of the Austrian Parliament, and expressed his admiration for Viet Nam's impressive socio-economic development achievements.

He said he believed that Viet Nam's sound policies and measures would help it overcome temporary economic difficulties and continue to be an attractive destination for foreign investors, including those from Austria.

The two sides agreed to increase the exchange of high-ranking visits and strengthen co-ordination in organising activities marking the 40th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties in Viet Nam and Austria this year.

The two leaders agreed that bilateral economic, trade and investment relations continued to see positive developments, with two-way trade exceeding US$630 million in 2011, doubling the 2010 figure.

They emphasised the need to create more favourable conditions for the two countries' businesses to invest in each other's markets.

The two sides applauded the Viet Nam-Austria Business Forum held in HCM City on the occasion and agreed to strengthen co-operation in such areas as infrastructure, transport, new energy, healthcare and environment.

They also agreed to increase co-operation on education and training, as well as links between the two countries' universities and training establishments.

Sang spoke highly of Austria's continued ODA provision for Viet Nam, expressing his wish that the Austrian President and government would continue to create favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community in Austria.

The two sides agreed to strengthen co-operation at multilateral forums and international organisations, especially the United Nations.

Sang suggested Austria continue supporting Viet Nam to enhance comprehensive co-operation with the European Union (EU). He affirmed that Viet Nam was willing to act as a bridge for Austria to boost relations with other ASEAN countries.

On the occasion, the two sides signed a number of co-operative documents, including memoranda of understanding on co-operation in industry, trade, energy and tourism, and a co-operation agreement between the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber.

Meeting with Fischer, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong spoke highly of the Austrian leader's visit, which he described as an important political event in the traditional friendship and fruitful co-operation between the two countries.

Trong introduced Fischer to Viet Nam's foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, co-operation, development and proactive international integration, adopted at the 11th National Party Congress.

Trong wished the visit every success and predicted it would create a new momentum to expand the friendship and co-operation between the two states and peoples.

For his part, Fischer told Trong he was impressed by the great achievements the Vietnamese people had recorded in the renewal process under the leadership of the Communist Party of Viet Nam.

The state and people of Austria highly valued the role and position played by Viet Nam in the region and the world, he said.

Fischer expressed his wish to consolidate and further develop the friendship and co-operation between the two countries.

At Prime Minister Dung's meeting with Fischer, the host affirmed the Vietnamese Government would create favourable conditions for Austrian businesses to invest in Viet Nam.

Dung said he highly valued the results of talks between Fischer and Sang, especially the signing of six documents on co-operation between the two countries.

He suggested Austria assist Viet Nam in human resources training, science and technology, infrastructure development and energy.

Dung expressed his wish that Austria would continue providing ODA for Viet Nam, focusing on healthcare, environment and response to climate change.

While suggesting Austria support Viet Nam in fostering co-operation with the European Union, Dung affirmed that Viet Nam was ready to help Austria boost ties with other ASEAN countries.

Fischer responded with a wish to promote co-operation with Vietnam, especially in trade, investment and human resources training.

He suggested the two sides increase the exchange of delegations to boost co-operation in specific projects.

The same day, National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung and Fischer agreed to step up parliamentary co-operation through the exchange of visits by parliamentarians and the sharing of experience.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News