At the talks, President To Lam emphasized that President Jose Ramos-Horta's third visit to Vietnam, will contribute to add fresh impetus to cooperation between the two countries, and congratulated Timor Leste on its achievements in socio-economic development.
He said he hopes that Timor Leste will soon implement the National Strategic Development Plan for the 2011-2030 period to bring the country into deeper international integration, contributing positively to peace, prosperity and development in the region.
President Jose Ramos-Horta expressed his admiration for the revolutionary cause, national construction and development of the Vietnamese leaders and people, considering Vietnam a model of development. On this occasion, Jose Ramos-Horta once again extended his deep condolences on the passing of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.
The two leaders noted their satisfaction with the remarkable progress in bilateral relations, with high-level exchanges and contacts maintained in a substantive manner and economic and trade cooperation obtaining encouraging results.
The import and export turnover between the two countries is projected to increase higher than last year’s figure of US$15.9 million, while the effective investment and business activities of Viettel Telecommunications Group (Telemor) have actively contributed to the socio- economic development of Timor Leste.
Regarding major cooperation orientations in the coming time, the two sides agreed to increase exchanges and contacts at high and all levels, effectively carry out the Framework Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation, speed up the early organization of the first meeting of the Vietnam - Timor Leste Joint Committee at the foreign ministerial level, and research and move towards establishing new bilateral mechanisms, suitable to the cooperation needs between the two countries.
The host leader affirmed that Vietnam is ready to continue supplying rice as a means of helping Timor Leste ensure food security, and proposed that the two sides extend or sign a new Memorandum of Understanding on rice trade, while encouraging Timor Leste to increase imports of high-quality Vietnamese products such as garments and textiles, footwear, beverages, dairy products, processed foods, agricultural and aquatic products.
He proposed that Timor Leste soon ratify the Bilateral Trade Agreement signed in 2013, thus creating favorable conditions for Vietnamese enterprises to expand business and investment in the country.
Thanking President To Lam for sharing valuable experience in Vietnam’s development and international integration, President Jose Ramos-Horta consented to closely coordinate to create new changes in economic, trade and investment cooperation between the two countries, and expand cooperation in potential areas such as agriculture, fisheries exploitation, exploitation and processing of forest resources, mineral resources, metal ores and non-ferrous metals.
He voiced his support for Vietnam's proposal to cooperate, grasp and take advantage of new trends for development. President Jose Ramos-Horta said he hopes that Vietnam will continue to share experience and support Timor Leste in developing human resources, ensuring food security, and reducing poverty.
The two sides also concurred to effectively exploit cooperation potential in other important fields, especially agriculture, fisheries, telecommunications, education, oil and gas, infrastructure construction, education, tourism and people-to-people exchange.
Discussing regional and international issues of mutual concern, both sides agreed to continue to strengthen cooperation and support each other at international and regional organizations. President To Lam hailed Timor Leste's determination and efforts in implementing the "Timor Leste Roadmap to Full ASEAN Membership", affirming that Vietnam backs Timor Leste’ bid to soon become a full member of the regional bloc.
President Jose Ramos-Horta affirmed that his nation fully supports Vietnam's candidacy at multilateral mechanisms, including the United Nations Security Council, the United Nations Human Rights Council and other international organizations.
Regarding the East Sea issue, the two sides pledged to continue supporting the rule of law in maintaining peace, stability, ensuring security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea, resolving disputes by peaceful means on the basis of international law, the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS); seriously and fully implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), negotiating the Code of Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (COC) as a contribution to maintaining peace, stability and development in the region.
After the talks, the two leaders witnessed the signing ceremony of a bilateral visa exemption agreement for diplomatic and official passport holders. On this occasion, President Jose Ramos-Horta respectfully invited President To Lam to visit Timor Leste. To Lam accepted the invitation with pleasure, saying that the visit will be arranged at a suitable time in the time to come.
Earlier, President Jose Ramos-Horta and his high-ranking delegation visited the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and laid wreaths at the Monument to Heroes and Martyrs on Bac Son street, Hanoi.
