(VOVworld) – Haitian Prime Minister Laurent Salvador Lamothe has begun a 3-day official visit to Vietnam to strengthen cooperation in different fields to aid Haiti’s recovery and development.

Haitian Prime Minister Laurent Salvador Lamothe and his Vietnamese  counterpart Nguyen Tan Dung (Photo: chinhphu.vn)

Following a reception hosted by Vietnamese PM Nguyen Tan Dung on Monday, the two prime ministers held talks and witnessed the signing of several cooperation agreements.

Both leaders agreed that the two countries should increase the exchange of delegations to promote mutual trust and understanding and boost cooperation in potential areas such as trade, telecommunications, agriculture and construction,

Vietnam and Haiti need to take advantage of flexible mechanisms to enhance bilateral cooperation in science-technology, education, health care, food security, and poverty reduction, they said.

They agreed to accelerate talks on the establishment of a strategic and long-term partnership on food security, as well as other mechanisms, laying a firm legal foundation for stronger cooperation.

Accordingly, the two countries will begin negotiations of agreements on investment protection and encouragement, food security, agriculture, culture, sports and tourism, and visa exemption for diplomatic and official passport holders. PM Dung told reporters after the talks: "We exchanged views on each others' situation  and set out direction and tasks to boost bilateral ties. We also defined high-priority areas of cooperation and began negotiations for 6 major agreements on economics, consulate work, investment, and agriculture. Both sides were committed to supporting trade-investment projects. Vietnam pledges a stable supply of food to Haiti." 

According to PM Dung, both sides agreed to encourage and create favorable conditions for their business communities to increase economic, trade and investment ties. PM Lamothe voiced his support for East Sea-bordered countries’ efforts in maintaining a stable and peaceful environment and settling marine-related issues through peaceful means in line with international law and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

After the talks, the two PMs signed a joint Vietnam-Haiti communiqué and witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding on the establishment of a strategic investment partnership between Viettel and the Haitian government.

At a reception for the visiting Haitian PM in Hanoi on Monday afternoon, National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung praised the talks between the two PMs, saying they help promote the Vietnam-Haiti relations. Hung urged further efforts towards peace and development in the world.

Receiving the visiting Haitian PM in Hanoi on Monday afternoon, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong said Vietnam treasures the consolidation and development of relations with friends in Latin America. He expressed his hope that Vietnam and Haiti will boost economic ties, especially in agriculture, services, telecommunications and manufacturing sector.