VietNamNet Bridge – During his talks with President of the Republic of Panama Alberto Martinelli in Hanoi on October 25, President Truong Tan Sang affirmed that Vietnam always treasures the friendship with the country for the benefit of both peoples and for the sake of peace, stability and development in the region and the world.

Sang thanked the Government and people of Panama for their support to Vietnam in the past and present, noting that Panama is the first Latin American country to recognise the market economy of Vietnam.

Describing the visit as a new milestone in the relationship and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries, Sang urged the government of Panama to encourage and create favourable conditions for its businesses to invest in Vietnam, as well as for Vietnamese businesses to have access to projects in the country, especially those on construction, shipbuilding and producing export goods.

He suggested that the country further open its market for Vietnamese products, creating large access for them to the Latin American market.

Sang said he hopes the two sides will continue to support each other at multilateral forums such as the European Union, Non-Aligned Movement and East Asia-Latin America Cooperation Forum.

For his part, Martinelli spoke highly of the international status and prestige of Vietnam and its significant achievements in the national construction and renewal.

He affirmed that Panama wants to strengthen ties with Vietnam in all fields ranging from trade, investment, agriculture, finance, banking, insurance, science and technology, trans-national crime fighting to culture, education and training and tourism.

The president said his country is willing to serve as a bridge for Vietnamese goods to enter the Latin American region, and asked Vietnam to share experience in rice and coffee cultivation.

He also expressed his hope that Vietnamese investors will take part in canal development projects of Panama .

The two leaders agreed on the measures to foster bilateral cooperation in the future, focusing on delegation exchanges of all levels as well as people exchange in order to deepen mutual understanding and trust.

The two sides will promote exchange between sectors, branches and businesses to seek cooperation opportunities, while maintaining consultations and mutual support at international organisations and multilateral forums, they said.

Sang and Martinelli discussed regional and international issues of mutual concerns.

Highly valuing the development potential of East Asia and Southeast Asia, Martinelli said Panama hopes to boost maritime cooperation with the regions, adding that the country will open a regional representative office in Hai Phong and Ho Chi Minh City .

He took the occasion to invite Sang to visit Panama and the invitation was accepted with pleasure.

After their talks, Sang and Martinelli witnessed the signing of an agreement on cultural cooperation between the governments and a memorandum of understanding on the establishment of a bilateral consultation mechanism between the two ministries of foreign affairs.

The same day, Martinelli also met with Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung.

Leaders praise Panama President’s visit

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong hosted a reception for visiting President of the Republic of Panama Alberto Martinelli in Hanoi on October 25.



At the reception, Trong highly valued the visit of President Ricardo Martinelli, the first by a head of State of Panama to Vietnam, considering it an important milestone to further develop the two countries’ multi-faceted cooperation.

The Party leader spoke highly of the results of talks between President Martinelli and his Vietnamese counterpart Truong Tan Sang, especially specific orientations and measures to boost bilateral relations in the fields of economics, trade and maritime transport.

Martinelli said his visit will create an important momentum to strengthen the two countries’ relations.

The two sides agreed to strengthen exchange activities and experience sharing between the two ruling parties, parliaments and peoples in the time to come.

The same day, the Panamanian President was received by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, who said that the results of Vietnam-Panama multi-faceted cooperation have contributed to the common development of the two countries. However, the development has yet to match the two countries’ potentials and aspirations, he added.

PM Dung suggested that the two sides should continue implementing effectively measures to promote their multi-faceted ties, firstly in economics, trade, investment and tourism. He urged the signing of the Vietnam-Panama Trade-Investment Cooperation Agreement, and the establishment of a cooperative committee between the two governments.

For his part, Martinelli affirmed that Panama will do its utmost to work with Vietnam to implement effectively the proposals of Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, especially the signing of the Vietnam-Panama Trade-Investment Cooperation Agreement by the end of 2012.

He expressed his hopes that Vietnam will support Panama at regional and international forums, as well as share experiences in the fields that Vietnam holds the advantages, including rice and coffee production. In return, Panama is willing to cooperate and share experiences with Vietnam in wharf and port construction.

Also on Oct. 25, at a meeting with the Panamanian President, National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung said that he is pleased with the development of the two countries’ fine friendship and cooperation in all fields, suggesting that the two sides need to coordinate to raise bilateral trade turnover, and further speed up cooperation in the fields of agriculture, science and technology, culture and health care, as well as support each other at multi-lateral forums.

On the occasion, the NA leader also invited the President of the Panama National Assembly to make an official visit to Vietnam.

The Panamanian President expressed his pleasure at the results of his visit, including the signing of some important cooperation agreements, which will create a premise to boost the countries’ economic ties.

He stressed that with its geographical advantage, Panama is willing to be a bridge to promote Vietnam’s goods export into the Latin American market.

VietNamNet/Vietnam Plus