(VOVworld) – President Truong Tan Sang held talks with the visiting Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vladimir Makei, in Hanoi on Monday.

President Truong Tan Sang receives Belarusian Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei

He stressed that Vietnam never forgets Belarus’ support in the past and at present. He pledged to urge ministries and sectors to enhance cooperation with Belarus and asked Belarus to boost negotiations towards the signing of the Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and the Customs Union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan.Sang expressed his hope that President Alexander Lukashenko’s coming visit to Vietnam will generate breakthrough in bilateral ties.

The Belarusian Minister said Belarus has always been a reliable friend and strategic partner of Vietnam and that Belarus wanted to enhance multi-faceted cooperation with Vietnam.

The same day, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh received Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vladimir Makei.

Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh held talks with Belarusian Foreign Minister V. Makei

The two leaders expressed their delight at their good bilateral relations and mutual support in the international arena. They also agreed to increase economic and trade cooperation on a par with their potential to raise trade revenue and ensure trade balance in the future. The two leaders signed an agreement on cooperation between the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs for the 2014-2015 period.