Party chief Nông Đức Mạnh Leader in talks with Venezuelan President

General Secretary Nông Đức Mạnh and President Hugo Chavez informed each other their respective country's situation; discussed and agreed upon major directions and measures to develop bilateral relations between Viet Nam and Venezuela; and shared views on international and regional issues of mutual concern.

The two leaders exchanged views and experience on building socialism, establishing and strengthening national solidarity, maintaining socio-political stability, and developing a socialist-orientated economy.

They stressed the need for fostering and consolidating cooperative ties between the two countries in the areas in which the two countries have made significant achievements, such as economy, culture, science-technology; and decided to quickly increase their two-way trade.
The two sides defined specific cooperation projects in oil and gas; production and trade of automobiles, motorbikes, agricultural machineries, consumers’ industrial goods, electronics; agriculture; aquaculture. Apart from bilateral cooperation projects, they expressed their willingness to join multilateral projects with other third partners.

The two sides applauded the democratization process of the United Nations in order to ensure interests of all member countries, enhance the UN’s key role in the world affairs and to prevent all schemes and actions running counter to the UN charter, regulations and standards of the international law.
The two leaders highly valued all efforts for regional and inter-regional dialogues and pledged to increase the role of the Non-aligned Movement as well as actively promote the Forum for East Asia-Latin America Cooperation (FEALAC). President Hugo Chavez expressed Venezuela’s full support for Vietnam’s bid for a non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council in the 2008-2009 term. Venezuela also recognized Vietnam's full market economic status.

After the talks, General Secretary Nông Đức Mạnh and President Hugo Chavez witnessed the signing ceremony of Vietnam-Venezuela cooperative agreements on science-technology; tourism; and establishing a joint-venture between VINAMOTOR and VENINSA.

In the afternoon of May 31, General Secretary Nông Đức Mạnh had a cordial reception to the delegation of former Venezuelan guarillas headed by Mr. Heronimo Carera, President of the Communist Party of Venezuela. The General Secretary thanked Venezuelan guarillas' good sentiments and supports to Vietnam's resistance war for national independence, freedom and reunification in the past.

By Nguyên Hồ