Deputy FM’s visits to Israel and Palestine

In Israel, the 2^nd bilateral political reference was held between the two Foreign Ministries. The Vietnamese delegation also paid a courtesy visit to Deputy PM, FM Tzipi Livni.

To deepen the Việt Nam-Israel cooperation, the two sides agreed to further exchange delegations at all echelons as well as boost the cooperation in investment, trade, science, technology, and education. They also decided that agriculture, telecommunication, informatics, and high technologies are the top priorities for bilateral cooperation in the time to come.

Israel confirmed to attach a great importance to Việt Nam in its diplomatic and economic policies. The hosts also highly appreciated Việt Nam’s decision to open the embassy in Israel on the occasion of the 15^th anniversary of the founding of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

As part of the visit, the Vietnamese delegation had a working session with the Israel-Việt Nam Chamber for Commerce and Industry and some Israeli businesses. Speaking to Israeli enterprises, Deputy FM Vũ Dũng stated that Việt Nam will provide favorable conditions to all foreigners to do business in Việt Nam. He also asked the business communities of the two countries to further exchange information and promote cooperation.

In Palestine, the Vietnamese delegation had separate working sessions with former PM, chief peace negotiator Ahmed Corey, FM Riat Al-Maliki and the Secretary General of the Presidential Palace, and laid wreath at the memorial house of late President Arafat. Palestinian leaders warmly welcomed Việt Nam’s first delegation to Palestine, considering the visit a significant event in the bilateral relationship.

Deputy FM Dũng affirmed that, Việt Nam consistently supports fundamental national rights of the Palestinian people, including the right to self-determination and the establishment of the State of Palestine. He went on to say that Việt Nam advocates the two-State solution n which the State of Palestine and the State of Israel together exist and develop in peace. He called on concerned parties to strictly observe the agreements made at the Annapolis Peace Conference (November 2007).

“Việt Nam is willing to contribute to seeking for a comprehensive and stable peaceful solution for the Israel-Palestine conflict and calls upon Palestinian parties to boost national reconciliation and realize the Mecca Agreement (inked in February 2007).

The two sides also discussed possibilities to promoting economic, trade and investment cooperation.