President Truong Tan Sang had a meeting with Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on March 15 as part of his State visit to the Middle East country.

President Truong Tan Sang (L) and Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei (Source: irna.ir)

The Supreme Leader welcomed President Truong Tan Sang’s visit, describing it as a milestone in the relationship between Vietnam and Iran.

Host and guest expressed their delight at the fruitful development of the traditional friendship between the two countries over the past years.

They held that Vietnam and Iran share many similarities in their history and both boast traditional cultural identities.

President Truong Tan Sang affirmed that Vietnam stands ready to share its experience with Iran in integration and development, and wished to work together with the country to enhance the bilateral cooperation.

The Vietnamese leader informed the Supreme Leader about outcomes of his talks with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and specific measures to strengthen the bilateral collaboration in various areas.

He suggested Iran continue to regard Vietnam as one of its promising partners in its “Look East” policy.

The President noted his hope that with his role and prestige, the Supreme Leader will make greater contributions to fostering the traditional friendship, for pragmatic interests of the two countries’ people.

The two leaders also compared notes on other issues relating their countries, regions and the world.

Later the same day, President Truong Tan Sang and his entourage left Tehran, successfully concluding their visit to the Middle East nation.

Iran is the last leg of the President’s African and Middle East tour that also includes Tanzania and Mozambique.

Vietnam, Iran need new leverage to optimise economic potential

Vietnam and Iran need a new leverage, their leaders’ political resolve and businesses’ will and actions to fully tap into their economic potential, said President Truong Tan Sang.

The Vietnamese leader made the remark while attending a Vietnam – Iran business forum in Tehran on March 15. The function was co-organised by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Iran’s Trade Promotion Organisation.

It saw the presence of representatives of over 200 Iranian enterprises operating in construction, agriculture, mechanics, energy, and food production. The Vietnamese side included those from more than 30 businesses such as the military-run telecommunications group Viettel, the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (PVN), and the Vietnam Northern Food Corporation.

Speaking at the forum, Iranian Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade Mohammad-Reza Nematzadeh said the two countries have a long-standing relationship, but their trade ties have not been capitalised on due to the impacts of sanctions.

President Truong Tan Sang and accompanied entrepreneurs visited in a right point in time, which will promote business opportunities for both sides. Iran, which boasts a population of over 80 million, with relatively high average incomes and political stability in the Middle East, wishes to boost cooperation with Vietnam – a country with a 90 million-strong population and also an ASEAN member, he added.

The official noted that if payment and transportation barriers are overcome, they will make great strides in bilateral trade.

Meanwhile, the Vietnamese leader said the two sides should at first explore each other’s goods demand, and address financial and banking issues, to support their companies in seeking partnership.

Highlighting significant attainments during Vietnam’s three decades of doi moi (reform), he expressed his hope that in its Look East policy, Iran will choose his country as the first destination, while its ministries should design policies encouraging Iranian investments in the Southeast Asian nation.

At the forum, Iranian officials and entrepreneurs agreed to join their Vietnamese counterparts to devise incentives for businesses and to boost trade promotion activities.

On this occasion, President Truong Tan Sang witnessed the signing of a letter of intention on cooperation between the PVN and Iran’s Ghadir Group, and a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between the State Bank of Vietnam and the Central Bank of Iran.

Also on March 15, he had a meeting with President of the Iran–Vietnam Friendship Association Kamal Sajjadi.

VNA