PM Phan Van Khai and Pervez Musharraf hold talks
Ha Noi, May 3 (VNA) -- Prime Minister Phan Van Khai held talks with Chief Executive of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan General Pervez Musharraf shortly after his arrival here today, May 3, for a three-day official visit to Viet Nam.
Also present at the talks were, on the Pakistani side, Prof. Dr Atta Ur Rehman, Minister of Science-Technology; Tariq Ikram, Secretary of State for Trade; Inam Ul Haque, Foreign Ministry Secretary, and other senior officials.
The Vietnamese side included Cabinet Minister and Chairman of the Government Office Doan Manh Giao; Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Le Huy Ngo; Science, Technology and Environment Minister Chu Tuan Nha; Deputy Foreign Minister Le Cong Phung; and Deputy Trade Minister Mai Van Dau.
PM Phan Van Khai welcomed the first Viet Nam visit by Gen. Musharraf and his entourage and said he believed the visit would be an important landmark in the Viet Nam-Pakistan cooperative relations.
He also expressed pleasure at the achievements the Pakistani people have made over the past half-decade, especially in the reform in recent years.
Gen. Musharraf spoke highly of the Vietnamese people's great achievements in their renewal process as well as in the implementation of Viet Nam's foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, openness, diversification, multilateralization and international and regional integration.
He also appreciated Viet Nam's active role in ASEAN as well as its efforts to promote cooperation between ASEAN and SAARC.
During the talks, both sides informed each other of their respective countries' socio-economic situation as well as each country's major orientations and policies in 2001 and the following years.
The two leaders noted with pleasure that the bilateral relations have gained new steps of development in many areas, particularly in trade, in recent years.
However, they said the two countries have a great potential for closer cooperation and agreed to set up a joint committee for bilateral cooperation that will meet every two years in order to further accelerate their bilateral cooperation in each period of time.
They also exchanged views on international and regional issues of mutual concern.
The talks were followed by the signing of a trade agreement by Viet Nam's Deputy Trade Minister Mai Van Dau and Pakistan's Foreign Ministry Secretary Inam Ul Haque.
In the evening, Prime Minister Phan Van Khai held a banquet in honour of Gen. Musharraf and his wife and his entourage.--VNA
