(VOVworld) Vietnam is committed to being a responsible member of the international community and promoting its strategic partnership with the Republic of Korea (RoK). The commitment was made during Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung’s just-concluded visit to Seoul, where he also attended the 2nd Nuclear Security Summit. VOV correspondent Thanh Chung, who accompanied the government delegation, reports.
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| PM Nguyen Tan Dung at the Nuclear Security Summit in Seoul |
Joining 57 other government leaders attending the summit from Monday to Thursday, Prime Minister Dung sent a clear message that Vietnam is working to ensure nuclear security and safety and supports nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. The PM said that while it is important to minimize nuclear risks, every country has its legitimate right to use nuclear energy and technology for peaceful purposes. Vietnam is determined to pursue nuclear development to meet its energy needs and is finalizing formalities to join the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material. Vietnam will continue to work closely with other countries in nuclear development for peaceful purposes. Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Quan told VOV: “We have agreed in principle with the Republic of Korea to share a pilot study on Radiation Source Location Tracking system. If the project is implemented, it will make a big contribution to controling radioactive substances created in Vietnam or smuggled from foreign countries.”
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| PM Nguyen Tan Dung and President Lee Myung-bak |
During the 2-day summit, Prime Minister Dung met with several foreign leaders, who applauded Vietnam’s increasing prestige in the international arena, and reiterated their strong commitment to a broader strategic partnership with Vietnam.
Following the summit, the PM made an official visit to the Republic of Korea, opening Vietnam- Korea Friendship Year 2012 and marking the 20th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties. PM Dung discussed with President Lee Myung-bak ways to expand cooperation in diplomacy, defence, security, labour, science, technology, education, training and assistance of immigrants. Deputy Foreign Minister Le Luong Minh said both sides want to boost economic ties: “The two countries have agreed to expand two - way trade to 20 billion USD by 2015 and to 30 billion USD in the following years. To achieve these targets, both sides will speed up negotiations of a Free Trade Agreement. Seoul has pledged to make it easier for Vietnamese goods to penetrate its markets, especially agricultural produce.”
As part of his tight schedule in Korea, PM Dung met a large number of local business people and attended a round table discussion on green and sustainable development. Mr. Dung said Vietnam always creates favorable conditions for Korean investors to do business in Vietnam and answered their queries. Seoul’s Minister of Knowledge Economy Hong Suk-woo, said industry will dominate future cooperation: “Being a strategic partner of Vietnam, the Republic of Korea can help Vietnam realize its goal of industrialization and modernization. Starting this year, we will expand the building of technological incubators and cooperation in auxiliary industry and human resource development in Vietnam.
The PM expressed his keen interest in the rights of the 116,000 Vietnamese living in the Republic of Korea. Talking with the Vietnamese community there, Mr. Dung said every Vietnamese in Korea is a bridge to link and nurture closer ties between the two countries.
The 2-day visit opens new opportunities and momentum in the strategic partnership between Vietnam and the Republic of Korea, who share many historical and cultural similarities.
Thanh Chung