Vietnam wishes to develop comprehensive ties with Egypt and highly appreciates the role of the country in the region and the world, Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh told his Egyptian guest on Monday. The minister made the statement at the seventh regular political consultation between the two foreign ministries in Hanoi on November 4, during which he also told Egyptian Assistant Foreign Minister Ahmed Ismail that the two countries should make more efforts to beef up bilateral relations.  The two sides should step up the implementation of bilateral cooperation agreements, practically preparing for the fifth meeting of the Vietnam-Egypt Joint Committee scheduled for 2014 in Hanoi.

He also emphasized the need to hasten negotiations and the signing of a number of cooperation agreements in banking, insurance, finance, information and communications, thus completing a legal framework for the bilateral cooperation.

Minister Minh also praised Ahmed Ismail’s participation in the economic cooperation forum between Vietnam and the Middle East-North Africa, considering the attendance as a positive contribution to the event’s success.

In reply, Ahmed Ismail spoke highly of the achievements that Vietnam has gained during its national construction. He also informed the Vietnamese side of Egypt’s decision to recognize the full market economy of Vietnam.

The two sides reached an agreement on direction and methods to foster the bilateral ties in the future, especially in promising areas like trade, oil and gas, telecommunications, agriculture, tourism, aquaculture, and education and training. They also agreed that they will continue to work closely to hold activities to mark the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Egypt diplomatic ties.

The two sides also discussed many international and regional issues of mutual interest.