Deputy PM Minh visits Sri Lanka

Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh at the inaugural ceremony of President Ho Chi Minh’s Statue in the Sri Lankan city of Colombo, November 25, 2013 - Photo: VNA

During his stay, Deputy Prime Minister Minh met with President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne, Parliamentary Speaker Chamal Jayantha Rajapaksa, and held talks with Foreign Minister G.L Peiri.

On the occasion, Mr. Minh also attended the inaugural ceremony of President Ho Chi Minh’s Statute in Colombo. In his remarks delivered at the ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Minh extended his sincere thanks to the Government and people of Sri Lanka for their sentiments for Vietnamese people and President Ho Chi Minh.

Sri Lankan President and Mayor of Colombo affirmed that the Government and people of Sri Lanka always see President Ho Chi Minh Statute as the everlasting symbol of friendship and solidarity between the two countries.

The host leaders also asserted Sri Lanka’s consistent policy of attaching importance to enhancing ties with Viet Nam.

Both sides expressed their pleasure at the fine development of the bilateral relations, especially in economics, trade, culture and education and agreed to expand the exchange of delegations at all levels.

The two countries agreed to maintain operations of the current cooperative mechanisms, fruitfully realize signed agreements, and encourage business communities to do business in respective sides.

Leaders of the two countries also agreed to lift up the two-way trade value to US$1 billion by 2015 and strengthen coordination at multi-lateral forums.

Sri Lankan leaders expect Viet Nam to share its experience in such fields lie agriculture and aquaculture production./.

By Hai Minh