Vietnam and Iran agreed to beef up their comprehensive cooperation during Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s visit to the Islamic country.

During his visit from October 13-15 the Deputy PM held talks with Iran’s Vice President Mohammad Shariatmadari.

He also attended meetings with Iranian First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri; Foreign Affairs Advisor to the Supreme Leader Ali Velayati; Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif; and the Minister for Industry, Mining and Trade Reza Nematzadeh.

The two sides agreed to increase delegation exchanges at all levels and maintain regular contact between ministries on both sides, while fostering legislative coordination and people-to-people links.

They pledged to continue to coordinate with and support each other at international and multilateral forums.

The Iranian side vowed to consider supporting Vietnam in its candidacy for the United Nations Security Council 2020-21, while proposing Vietnam assist Iran in reaching a Treaty of Amity and Cooperation between Iran and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Both sides agreed to organise the 9th meeting of the Vietnam-Iran Joint Committee at an early date to review their affiliation and devise plans for bilateral cooperation in the future.

Vietnam and Iran also reached a common perspective on priority areas of bilateral cooperation, including trade, investment, science and technology, agriculture, energy and tourism.

Iran will continue to grant scholarships to Vietnamese students, while sending experts to Vietnam to exchange experiences in infrastructure construction, transportation, and healthcare.

The country also suggested Vietnam increase its natural rubber exports to Iran and send a delegation of rubber growing specialists to the country.

Vietnam and Iran also signed a number of cooperation agreements, including a double taxation agreement; an agreement on the coordination of administrative affairs in customs; a memorandum of understanding on technology, research and education cooperation; and the minutes of the first meeting of the joint working groups on trade.

Within the framework of the visit, Deputy PM Phuc delivered a speech at the Vietnam-Iran Business Forum in Tehran on October 15, which focussed on facilitating measures and mechanism to boost the two countries’ economic partnership.

Trade between Vietnam and Iran reached 144.6 million USD in 2010, but dropped to 104 million USD in 2013, including Vietnamese exports of 58 million USD.

Vietnamese products available on the Iranian market include agricultural products, such as tea, seafood, rice, cashews, coffee, vegetables, cigarettes and rubber, as well as electronics, tools and plastics.

VNA/VNN