Vietnam president Truong Tan Sang received his counterpart from Panama Alberto Martinelli in Hanoi on October 25 and confirmed that Vietnam always treasures the friendship with the country for the benefit of both peoples and for the sake of peace, stability and development in the region and the world.

Sang thanked the government and people of Panama for their support to Vietnam in the past and present, noting that Panama is the first Latin American country to recognize the market economy of Vietnam.

Describing the visit as a new milestone in the relationship and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries, Sang urged the government of Panama to encourage and create favorable conditions for its businesses to invest in Vietnam, as well as for Vietnamese businesses to have access to projects in the country, especially those on construction, shipbuilding and producing export goods.

He suggested that the country further open its market for Vietnamese products, creating large access for them to the Latin American market.

Sang said he hopes the two sides will continue to support each other at multilateral forums such as the European Union, Non-Aligned Movement and East Asia-Latin America Cooperation Forum.

For his part, Martinelli spoke highly of the international status and prestige of Vietnam and its significant achievements in the national construction and renewal.

He affirmed that Panama wants to strengthen ties with Vietnam in all fields ranging from trade, investment, agriculture, finance, banking, insurance, science and technology, trans-national crime fighting to culture, education and training and tourism.

The president said his country is willing to serve as a bridge for Vietnamese goods to enter the Latin American region, and asked Vietnam to share experience in rice and coffee cultivation.

He also expressed his hope that Vietnamese investors will take part in canal development projects of Panama.

The two leaders agreed on the measures to foster bilateral cooperation in the future, focusing on delegation exchanges of all levels as well as people exchange in order to deepen mutual understanding and trust.

The two sides will promote exchange between sectors, branches and businesses to seek cooperation opportunities, while maintaining consultations and mutual support at international organizations and multilateral forums, they said.

Sang and Martinelli discussed regional and international issues of mutual concerns.

Highly valuing the development potential of East Asia and Southeast Asia, Martinelli said Panama hopes to boost maritime cooperation with the regions, adding that the country will open a regional representative office in Hai Phong and Ho Chi Minh City.

He took the occasion to invite Sang to visit Panama and the invitation was accepted with pleasure.

After their talks, Sang and Martinelli witnessed the signing of an agreement on cultural cooperation between the governments and a memorandum of understanding on the establishment of a bilateral consultation mechanism between the two ministries of foreign affairs.

The same day, Martinelli also met with Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung.