Vietnam, Mongolia pledge to work harder to boost relations

President Truong Tan Sang (L) and Mongolian President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdoji review the guards of honour of the Viet Nam People's Army in Ha Noi yesterday.

Following an official State welcome ceremony for the Mongolian President in Ha Noi yesterday, the leaders agreed to forge defence and security cooperation through co-ordinated personnel training and crime prevention.

President Sang urged for favourable policies to enable an increase in Vietnamese investment and accelerate trade and investment partnerships in Mongolia. Responding to the call, the Mongolian President welcomed Vietnamese businesses to invest in the nation's oil and gas and mining sector.

The two sides agreed to maintain co-operation between all levels of government and assist friendship organisations in both countries to expand their suite of joint projects.

The leaders also vowed to build on cultural exchanges between both countries, and co-operation in the education sector. Further support would also be given to Vietnamese and Mongolian nationals in both countries, they said.

President Truong Tan Sang (right) receives Mongolian President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj at the Presidential Palace in Ha Noi yesterday. — VNA/VNS Photos Nguyen Khang

Looking ahead to 2014, the two leaders also said Viet Nam and Mongolia would work closely to organise celebrations for the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties.

Sang praised Mongolia's national development achievements, and thanked the President for supporting Viet Nam in the country's past struggle for reunification.

They also emphasised the need to maintain peace, stability, maritime freedom, safety and security in the East Sea, affirming their support for the settlement of disputes in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and the full implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and the early formation of a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

Following talks, the leaders witnessed the signing of four co-operation agreements and discussed the outcomes with reporters.

On the same day, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung also met with the Mongolian President, saying the President's visit would help elevate bilateral ties to a higher.

Dung proposed organising sessions of the Inter-Governmental Committee to continue working on measures to boost co-operation between the two countries and organise the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Viet Nam and Mongolia next year.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung (R) meets with the Mongolian President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj in Ha Noi.—VNA/VNS Photo Duc Tam

Highlighting the potential for boosting commercial and investment activities, Dung applauded the Mongolian business delegation for accompanying the President to Viet Nam to research investment and business opportunities.

He urged the two sides to continue boosting co-operation in the fields of national defence, culture and education.

Meanwhile, the Mongolian President urged the Vietnamese Government to assist relevant ministries and agencies in implementing agreements signed between the two sides during this visit.

He affirmed that Mongolia would always welcome Vietnamese businesses to the country to invest and capitalise on business opportunities.

Later the same day, Viet Nam and Mongolia issued a joint statement, agreeing on measures to strengthen co-operation and important regional and international issues.

The two countries applauded the mutual recognition of market statuses in an effort to boost bilateral economic and trade ties.

The Mongolian side welcomed Vietnamese businesses to invest in the nation's oil and minerals sector.

The two sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the two Foreign Ministries, an agreement on crime prevention, a Memorandum of Understanding on defence co-operation and a Memorandum of Understanding on oil and gas partnership.