The recently-concluded visit by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong to the Republic of Korea (RoK) marks the opening of a new stage of development with bright prospects in the two countries’ relations, said a Vietnamese official.

Talking to the media about the significance and outcomes of the visit, Hoang Binh Quan, Head of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee’s Commission for External Affairs, said that it created a strong impetus for the strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries.

This is also an occasion for the Communist Party of Vietnam to enhance its relation with political parties in the RoK, first of all the ruling Saenuri party, in order to strengthen the political foundation of bilateral ties, according to Quan.

He also noted that the visit demonstrated Vietnam’s policy on proactive and active integration into the international community as well as on treasuring and giving priority to the ties with regional countries and deepening relations with its important partners.

Looking back at activities during the visit, the Party official said all talks and meetings took place in an open, friendly and sincere atmosphere and dealt with important and practical issues relating to bilateral ties and regional and international issues of mutual concern.

Hoang Binh Quan emphasized that all ministries, sectors, localities and people from all walks of life should do their best in order to realise the agreed orientations for cooperation between the two countries.

“We are confident about the new development and good outcomes in the Vietnam-RoK relations,” he said in conclusion.

Party leader successfully concludes RoK visit

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and his entourage arrived in Hanoi on October 4, wrapping up four-day visit to the Republic of Korea at the invitation of Korean President Park Geun Hye.

During his state visit, from October 1-4, Trong and other senior Vietnamese officials held meetings with RoK Prime Minister Jeong Hong Won and National Assembly Speaker Chung Ui Hwa, and met with Kim Moo Sung, Chairman of the Supreme Council of the Saenuri Party.

The Vietnamese Party Chief visited and talked with professors, lecturers and students of the Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, which pioneers in teaching Vietnamese and doing studies on Vietnam.

He also visited Busan city and held working sessions with a number of Korean groups and met with representatives from associations, including the RoK-Vietnam Friendship Association.

During meetings, talks and working sessions, the two sides worked out practical measures to boost bilateral ties and exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual concern.

They issued a 7-point joint statement, outlining orientation and defining goals and key measures to strengthen cooperation in various fields, particularly in politics, external relations, trade, investment, and security and defence.

They signed four cooperation agreements, including a credit programme worth US$12 billion in support of Vietnam’s development in the future.

The Communist Party of Vietnam and the Saenuri Party signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation between the two parties for the 2015-2016 period based on their previous MoU signed in 2011.

Party leader Trong’s visit is expected to deepen the strategic comprehensive partnership between Vietnam and the RoK and practically implement the foreign policy guideline of independent diplomacy, self-reliance, multilaterilisation and diversification of relationship, and global integration.

Party leader Trong appreciates Korean investors

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong spoke highly of the Republic of Korea’s investment in Vietnam and said that Korean businesses are operating effectively and become a part of Vietnam’s economy.

The Party leader made the statement at a meeting with heads of CJ, Hoysung and Charmvit, in Seoul on October 3.

Vietnam welcomes and continues to create the best possible opportunities for Korean businesses to invest in Vietnam, Trong affirmed.

He wished the economic groups further achievements and contributions to Vietnam’s development and bilateral friendship.

CJ Group opened its representative office in Vietnam in 1996 and now carries out agricultural projects in Ninh Thuan, Lam Dong, Tay Ninh and Ba Ria-Vung Tau. It has cooperated with Vietnamese partners in the fields of television and cinematography and wants to invest in transports and logistics.

Hyonsung is one of top 30 biggest groups in the RoK. It has a fibre production plant in Dong Nai province.

Charmvit has implemented many projects in Vietnam, with a focus on energy, aviation, real estate, construction, construction material, tourism, golf courses, hotels and schools.

Leaders of these economic groups hope that Vietnam will continue to facilitate their operation in the country.

On same day, Trong left Seoul for Busan City – the second biggest economic hub in the RoK.

Busan Mayor Gyung Soo welcomed the Party leader and his entourages to the city and said that the visit is an important event, helping to promote strategic partnership between Vietnam and the RoK as well as cooperation and exchange between the two countries’ localities.

He told the guest of the city’s role and contribution to the RoK’s development in recent years and friendship and cooperation between Busan and Ho Chi Minh City as well as other localities in Vietnam.

Trong showed his deep impression on the city’s recent socio-economic achievements and briefed the host on Vietnam’s situation, bilateral ties between Vietnam and the RoK, and results of his visit to Seoul.

He urged Busan to further accelerate cooperation with HCM City and other localities in Vietnam, especially in economics, trade, investment, tourism, culture and education.

2015 will mark the 20th anniversary of the cooperation and friendship ties between HCM City and Busan, he said, adding that exchange activities on the occasion and results of cooperation in recent years will help develop bilateral ties between the two cities into a model.

VNA/VOV