Sri Lanka, Vietnam note excellent bilateral relations
[Thursday, November 30, 2006 - 5.30 GMT] 

Prime Minister Wickremanayaka's official visit to Vietnam, November 26-29, 2006

Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka paid an official visit to Vietnam from November 26-29 this year, at the invitation of the Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung. This is the first visit by a Prime Minister of Sri
Lanka to Vietnam. The Prime Minister of Sri Lanka was accompanied by Hon. Chamal Rajapaksa, Minister of Agricultural Development and senior officials.  

During the visit, the Sri Lankan Prime Minister had talks with Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and called on the President of Vietnan Nguyen Minh Triet. 

During the talks, the two sides noted with pleasure that bilateral relationship between the two countries were at an excellent state and decided that these relations needed to be built into an economic partnership through an agreed programme of activities. 

The two sides agreed to further strengthen their traditional cooperation giving new impetus especially in the fields of culture, commerce and trade, security, science and technology, tourism and technical cooperation for the common benefit of the two countries. 

Two Prime Ministers also hailed the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the field of Agriculture between the two countries as an important step taken to develop agricultural cooperation between Vietnam and Sri Lanka. 

The Vietnamese side expressed its desire to establish a resident Mission in Sri Lanka soon. The Sri Lankan side highly welcomed the decision. It was also agreed between the two Prime Ministers to exchange trade delegates between the two countries with a view to establishing a closer link between the cooperate sectors, thus contributing to enhance the bilateral trade volume. Both sides emphasized the need for greater collaboration in the tourism sector which would enhance greater people to people contact with particular emphasis on cultural tourism.  

The two sides exchanged views on a range of bilateral, regional and international issues. They reaffirmed their commitment to the promotion of peace, stability, economic development and social progress and agreed to intensified cooperation and consultations between the two countries. 

The Vietnamese side reaffirmed Vietnam's support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Sri Lanka and expressed the hope that the efforts by the President Mahinda Rajapaksa would succeed in evolving a peaceful solution. 

Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka paid respect to Most Venerable Thich Thanh Tu of the Vietnam Buddhist Institute and attended a religious ceremony at the Non Nuoc Pagoda.  

The visiting Prime Minister also visited Ho Chi Minh City and had a discussion with the Chairman of the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City Mr. Le Hoang Quan.

Prime Minister Wickramanayaka on behalf of President Rajapaksa extended an invitation to President Nguyen Minh Triet and Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung to pay official visits to Sri Lanka at mutually convenient dates. President Nguyen Minh Triet and Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung had accepted the invitation.

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Last Updated Date: November 30, 2006 -5.30 GMT