VN treasures ties with Iceland

PM Nguyen Tan Dung and Icelander President Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson shake hands at the Government Headquarters in Ha Noi on November 4, 2015. Photo; VGP

At the meeting with Icelander President Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson in Ha Noi on Wednesday, PM Dung reaffirmed Viet Nam’s consistent policy of treasuring the relationship with Iceland.

He expressed his hope that both sides should further strengthen bilateral cooperation, especially in such fields as economy, trade, and investment.

The Vietnamese Government chief suggested the two countries should develop a legal framework to expand cooperation in other potential areas like education and training, science and technology, culture and tourism.

Both sides should enhance mutual support and coordination at international forums, including the United Nations, said PM Dung, asking Iceland to back and accelerate the negotiation process of the free trade agreement between Viet Nam and European countries of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.

PM Dung also urged Iceland to continue creating favorable conditions for the Vietnamese community to better integrate into the host community.

President Ólafur affirmed that Iceland attaches importance to the relationship with Viet Nam.

He voiced his support for the legitimate position of Viet Nam and ASEAN on the East Sea issue, underlining the importance of settling the issue through peaceful measures in accordance with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea./.

By Hai Minh