Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has confirmed Vietnam’s recognition of high importance to enhanced relations with the Vatican while meeting with Pope Francis and His Eminence Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Holy See on October 18.

At the meeting, Pope Francis highlighted PM Dung’s visit as a good opportunity for both sides to deepen mutual understanding, thus furthering relations between Vietnam and the Vatican.

He expressed admiration for Vietnam’s tremendous achievements in socio- economic development which have resulted in remarkably improved lives of the Vietnamese people in every aspect.

Pope Francis also applauded the country’s efforts to effectively carry out the policy on freedom of belief and religion as a result of its election to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC).

He noted with satisfaction diverse activities run by the Vietnam Catholic Church like annual conferences of the Vietnam Bishop Council and major Catholic celebrations, and thanked the Vietnam Government for facilitating the Vatican non-resident envoy’s activities in the country.

PM Dung, in turn, reiterated Vietnam’s resolve to implement its unwavering policy of respecting the people’s legitimate rights to belief and religious freedom and support Vietnamese catholics’ greater contributions to national construction and development.

The two sides were satisfied with considerable progress in the Vietnam-Vatican relations, prominently demonstrated by high-level meetings, the organization and effective implementation of agreements reached at the Joint Working Group meetings as well as activities of the non-resident envoy of the Holy See in Vietnam.

Pope Francis stated that the Vatican always advocates developing good relations with Vietnam and backs the Vietnam Catholic Church’s active involvement in the country’s socio economic development.

Both sides also consented to maintain dialogues and contacts with a view to pushing their sound relations forward.

The Pope expressed concern about recent tensions in the East Sea and wished to contribute to ensuring peace, stability and security in the region and the world at large.