Deputy PM hopes for stronger Việt Nam-Nepal co-operation

 Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Phạm Bình Minh received Nepalese Minister for Commerce Romi Gauchan Thakali in Hà Nội on Thursday, and the two leaders expressed a desire for greater co-operation between their countries.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Phạm Bình Minh received Nepalese Minister for Commerce Romi Gauchan Thakali in Hà Nội on Thursday. — VNA/VNS Photo An Đăng

HÀ NỘI — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Phạm Bình Minh received Nepalese Minister for Commerce Romi Gauchan Thakali in Hà Nội on Thursday, and the two leaders expressed a desire for greater co-operation between their countries.

Minh congratulated Nepalon its development and re-construction achievements, including in overcoming consequences of the devastating April 2015 earthquake and issuing a new constitution in September 2015.

He called on both sides to finalise negotiations on a visa exemption agreement for each other’s diplomats and officials, along with co-operation deals on investment, trade, culture, tourism and aviation.

Bilateral trade reached US$41 million in 2016, which is still modest compared to the potential, Minh said. He asked Nepalto provide optimal conditions for Vietnamese firms to seek opportunities for investment in energy, infrastructure and telecommunications, and to export consumer goods there.

He said Việt Namhad set up an honorary consulate in Kathmandu in October 2016, and expressed his hope that Nepal  would consider establishing a corresponding office in Việt Namto bolster ties.

Minister Romi Gauchan Thakali, for his part, expressed his admiration of Việt Nam’s socio-economic accomplishments, noting that his country wants to strengthen relations with Việt Nam, particularly in economy and trade. He said he hoped the two sides would increase delegation and people-to-people exchanges to share experience and promote collaboration.

The Nepalese official was in Hà Nội on attend the UN high-level meeting for the Euro-Asia region on improving co-operation in transit and trade facilitation for landlocked countries. — VNS