UAE and Vietnam officials sign five pacts to boost economic relations

Five agreements between the UAE and Vietnam were signed yesterday as the top officials of the two countries met in the UAE capital.

The President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler of Abu Dhabi, received Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung at Al Bateen Palace yesterday.

Sheikh Khalifa said the visit of the Vietnam leader would bolster the relations and open avenues for co-operation and friendship between the two countries.

He added the UAE was looking forward to building stronger ties with all people worldwide, particularly with the East Asian countries

Earlier in Dubai, the UAE and Vietnam officials signed five separate agreements and memoranda of understanding in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Present on the occasion were Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Chairman of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority Sheikh Majid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum including Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and his accompanying delegation.

The leaders discussed ways of broadening existing co-operation between the UAE and Vietnam to new sectors, thus strengthening the bond of friendship and mutual interest.

While discussing the global economic climate, Sheikh Mohammed stressed the importance of working through the current situation by means of collective international co-operation and the positive intervention of governments. These efforts, he added, should take place in co-ordination with the private sector and international financial institutions.

The Vietnamese Prime Minister praised the UAE's economic achievements and its numerous development projects, especially in the fields of technology, education, tourism and infrastructure, which he described as meeting international standards. He went on to express hope that his first visit to the UAE would bear fruit and have a positive impact on bilateral relations.

At the close of the ceremony, Sheikh Mohammed and Tan Dung exchanged congratulations with each other and their ministers on the signing of the agreements, which are expected to foster economic co-operation for the mutual benefit of both countries and peoples.

Sheikh Mohammed hosted a banquet in honour of the Vietnamese Prime Minister and his delegation.

Later, Tan Dung expressed his pleasure on his UAE visit and meeting Sheikh Khalifa.

He conveyed the regards of Vietnamese President Nguyen Minh Triet to Sheikh Khalifa. He said his country was keen to develop relations with the UAE, which "is playing vital regional and global role".

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