VietNamNet Bridge – An agreement on visa exemptions for diplomatic and official passport holders from Viet Nam and El Salvador was signed in Ha Noi yesterday, March 31, after successful talks between the foreign ministers of the two countries.


Photo: VOV
During the talks, Pham Gia Khiem, who doubles as Deputy Prime Minister, and his El Salvador guest Hugo Martinez Bonilla agreed that the two countries should further tap their potential in consumer goods production, agriculture, science and technology, culture, healthcare, education and training, and telecommunications to scale up currently modest economic relations.


The two also agreed on mutual assistance to expand El Salvador's relations with other countries in Southeast Asia and the same for Viet Nam in Central America.


Khiem and Bonilla pointed out the need to speed up negotiations and sign a number of co-operation accords soon in order to lay the foundation for a legal framework on bilateral relations, especially in economics, trade and investment.


They said measures should be taken to encourage and create favourable conditions for businesses from both sides to take a foothold in each other's markets and establish direct partnerships.


Host and guest shared a view on promoting the exchange of delegations at all levels to deepen political relations, increase mutual understanding and work out measures for co-operative efficiency.


They also agreed that the two countries should continue with close co-ordination of action and mutual assistance in international organisations and multilateral forums such as the United Nations, the World Trade Organisation and the Forum of East Asia and Latin America Co-operation (FEALAC).


The two foreign ministers highlighted close relations, particularly with Bonilla inviting Khiem to visit El Salvador, which he accepted with pleasure.


In addition to the visa exemption agreement, the talks concluded with the signing of a memorandum of understanding on establishing a reference mechanism between the two foreign ministries.


VietNamNet/Viet Nam News