Minister of Transport Dinh La Thang and Finnish Minister of Economic Affairs Jan Vapaavuori signed an air services agreement yesterday to allow civil aviation companies from both sides to enjoy the right to operate in each others air space during Jan Vapaavuori's two-day official visit to Viet Nam.

The two countries also agreed on fees and tax regulations for airline companies as well as guidelines for flight safety and security standards.

The agreement will create a legal framework for co-operation and business opportunities for Vietnamese airliners and their Finnish counterparts, improving commerce, tourism, education and cultural exchanges.

A direct flight route between the two countries will be established as a result of the agreement.

Viet Nam also asked Finland to support the establishment of a pilot training centre in Viet Nam with technology and finance, said Lai Xuan Thanh, Head of the Civil Aviation Authority of Viet Nam.

Business delegates from many of Finland's top corporations have expressed an interest in working with Viet Nam to develop the country's infrastructure and transport networks.

At the ceremony, Jan Vapaavuori pledged that his government would continue to support Viet Nam in the transfer of technology, education and training.

Earlier yesterday, Deputy Minister of Defence, Senior Lieutenant General Truong Quang Khanh, and Vapaavuori agreed to share their experiences in peacekeeping operations during a meeting in Ha Noi.

Speaking at the reception, Khanh highlighted the effective and developing bilateral relations between the two countries since they established diplomatic relations in 1973, adding that Viet Nam was always grateful for Finland's support during the process of national defense.

Khanh expressed his hope that Finland would help Viet Nam to train its peacekeeping force, since Finland had extensive experience in the field.

He said he hoped the two countries would intensify co-operation in the military industry and other sectors.

Vapaavuori said Finland was willing to share its experience on the environment, industrial progress, water management and weapons maintenance, adding that Finland ran a globally-recognised training centre which offered courses every year on the settlement of military and political crises for foreign specialists.

Vapaavuori also suggested that Viet Nam and Finland should foster co-operation on marine issues.

The Finnish minister will travel to HCM City today to hold a seminar on Finland's smart solutions for city development with Le Hoang Quan, Chairman of the HCM City People's Committee.

VNS/VNN