Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Vietnam, Pham Gia Khiem, said Sri Lanka’s achievement in bringing an end to terrorism was commendable. Assuring strong support for Sri Lanka in its intensified efforts towards reconstruction and development, he stated that this commitment of Vietnam was rooted in its foreign policy, which accorded priority to further expanding the existing relations between the two countries.

He made this remarks on the sidelines of the Non-Aligned Ministerial Meeting, which preceded the 15th NAM Summit of Heads of State or Government on 15 and 16 July 2009.

The Deputy Prime Minister further stressed that there was vast potential for cooperation between Sri Lanka and Vietnam across a wide spectrum of bilateral subjects such as economic development, political and defence cooperation, and cultural and social advancement.

He looked forward to the meeting of Vietnam-Sri Lanka Joint Commission in August this year to identity areas of bilateral cooperation and adopts a comprehensive programme of work for the future.