Prime Minister Phan Van Khai at working session in APEC
Ha Noi, Sept. 12 (VNA) -- Leaders of seven ASEAN countries who are in Auckland, New Zealand, for the seventh Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit had a working session today (Sept. 12).
Present at the working session were Viet Nam's Prime Minister Phan Van Khai and Deputy PM and FM Nguyen Manh Cam; Brunei Sultan H. Bolkiah; Philippines President J. Estrada; Thai PM Chuan Leekpai; Singaporean PM Goh Chok Tong; Malaysian Deputy PM A.A. Badawi; Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Economy, Finance and Industry G. Kartasasmita; and ASEAN General Secretary R. Severino.
Participants exchanged views on strengthening multi-faceted cooperation among ASEAN countries and coordinating stances at the seventh APEC Summit particularly to protect the interests of developing countries in the context of continued globalization and the upcoming round of negotiations on global trade in the framework of the World Trade Organization (WTO).
PM Khai also met with his Russian counterpart V. Putin the same day.
Khai stressed that the State and people of Viet Nam always treasure the traditional friendship with the Russian people and want to strengthen their multi-form cooperation with the Russian Federation.
He spoke of the achievements in the bilateral cooperation regarding science, technology and oil and gas service, adding that the two countries should exert efforts to make the bilateral trade relations commensurate with their potential.
The Russian PM shared the same view with PM Khai and expressed his pleasure at the development of the bilateral friendship and cooperation.
PM Putin said the Russian Government supports and creates favourable conditions for Russian investors to expand their operations in Viet Nam and to boost economic ties between the two countries.
The two PMs agreed to further develop the bilateral relations for still greater achievements.
On this occasion, Deputy PM and FM Nguyen Manh Cam met with New Zealand Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade D. McKinnon, Australian FM A. Downer, Thai FM S. Pitsuwan, and Canadian FM L. Axworthy.
Cam exchanged views with these FMs on bilateral relations and expressed Viet Nam's desire to strengthen multi-form cooperation with their countries.
In return, these FMs expressed their wishes to boost bilateral relations for mutual benefits with Viet Nam regarding economy, trade and other fields.
