Vietnam sees better ties with Haiti

　　Vietnam sees a rich future for its friendship with Haiti, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung said during talks with his counterpart from the Republic of Haiti, Laurent Salvador Lamothe, in Hanoi yesterday.

　　At the talks, Dung applauded the four-day visit - the first to Vietnam by a high-ranking Haitian leader – and said Lamothe's presence will help strengthen the friendship and co-operation between the two countries.

　　He spoke highly of Haiti's achievements in maintaining political stability, achieving socio-economic development and expanding foreign relations, and admired the Haitian Government and people's efforts to overcome the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake.

　　Lamothe praised the Vietnamese people's struggle for national independence, freedom and reunification, and thanked Vietnam for its valuable assistance to Haiti after the earthquake.

　　He affirmed Haiti's interest in developing cooperation with Vietnam in food security, telecommunications, trade, culture and education.

　　The two leaders agreed on measures to boost cooperation in science-technology, education, health, food security and poverty reduction. They also discussed increasing cooperation in the areas of trade, telecommunications, agriculture and construction and pledged to discuss the establishment of a long-term strategic partnership on food security.

　　The two sides agreed to work on legal mechanisms to increase bilateral ties and begin negotiations on issues such as investment promotion and protection and visa exemption for holders of diplomatic and official passports.

　　Both leaders praised the success of Natcom, a joint venture between Vietnam's Military Telecoms Group (Viettel) and Haiti's Ministry of Economy and Finance, and noted that the model should be expanded to other fields.

　　Lamothe voiced his support for Aseans determination to settle the East Sea disputes through peaceful negotiations on the basis of international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

　　Following the talks, both PMs signed a Vietnam-Haiti Joint Communique and witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding for the establishment of a strategic investment partnership between Viettel and the Haiti Government.

　　During his visit, Lamothe also met with Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.

　　Trong affirmed that Vietnam treasures the development of friendship and cooperation with all Latin-American countries.

　　Lamothe pledged to further deepen ties between the two countries in a more practical and effective manner. He expressed his wish to share national management knowledge with Vietnam and strengthen bilateral ties in many fields, especially food security.

　　He affirmed that Haiti will open an embassy in Hanoi in the future.

　　At a meeting with National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung the same day, Lamothe vowed to develop cooperation with Vietnam in food security, telecommunications, trade, culture and education.

　　Hung suggested the two parliaments promote cooperation and exchanges to enhance the friendship between the two countries, and that they work together to encourage peace and development in their regions and the rest of the world.

　　The Haitian leader also met with President Truong Tan Sang yesterday.

　　Lamothe said Haiti would like to learn from Vietnam's agricultural and food security experiences and has always admired Vietnam's role and position at regional and international forums.

　　He also suggested Vietnamese firms invest in textiles and garments for export to Haiti, adding that the country will create favourable conditions for the companies to operate effectively.