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Gov’t chief receives Bhutan National Council Chairman

VGP – Viet Nam hopes to promote the comprehensive ties with Bhutan given the two countries share similarities in history and culture and they can share experience in national construction and development, said PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

May 13, 2019 3:35 PM GMT+7

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) shakes hands with Bhutan National Council Chairman Tashi Dorj, Ha Noi, May 13, 2019 - Photo: VGP/Quang Hieu

PM Phuc made the point on May 13 while receiving Bhutan National Council Chairman Tashi Dorj who was present in Viet Nam for the 16th United Nations Day of Vesak celebrations.

PM Phuc congratulated the achievements which Bhutan has attained to be named as the world’s happiest country. 

In reply, Mr. Tashi Dorji highly spoke of the significance of the visit since he took office as the Bhutan National Council Chairman. 

He praised Viet Nam for the organization of the UN Day of Vesak celebrations. 

According to the National Council, Bhutan has set up diplomatic ties with 36 countries worldwide including Viet Nam. 

The guest leader agreed that the two countries share a large number of similarities in landscape, religion, and people which are favorable conditions for better bilateral ties. 

Bhutan is working with the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs to set up a consulting mechanism for the two foreign ministries. 

He said Bhutan is speeding up reform and agricultural mechanization and hopes to import agricultural machines and learn experience from Viet Nam. The number of Vietnamese tourists to Bhutan has been on the rise, he added. 

PM Phuc took the occasion to seek support from the guest leader on exchanges of delegations. 

Mr. Phuc also suggested the two sides early ink an agreement on visa exemption for diplomatic and official passport holders. 

In the context of modest economic cooperation, the host leader recommended the two sides cooperate in fields which Bhutan has demand including agricultural machines and spare parts and furniture production. 

PM Phuc called upon the two sides to beef up tourism cooperation, and increase charter flights in order to exploit the similarities in culture, especially Buddhism.

He also hoped that Bhutan would create favorable ways for Vietnamese citizens to integrate into the local community and serve as a bridge for the bilateral ties./.

By Kim Loan