Hajjar was addressing the team of delegates headed by Vietnam Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan, who is on an official visit to the Kingdom.
“The two countries have common interests on various matters. Therefore, it is easier for the two countries to cooperate with each other on political and economic affairs under the esteemed guidance of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and Vietnam’s President Nguyen Minh Triet.
Recalling Triet’s visit to the Shoura Council last year, Hajjar said it paved the way for new vistas of cooperation between the two countries. “We appreciate the fair and balanced foreign policy of Vietnam, which contributes a great deal towards maintaining peace and stability in the world.”
In April last year, Triet met King Abdullah and held wide-ranging talks in Riyadh to boost bilateral ties, especially in oil, food and manpower.
During this visit, King Abdullah and Triet also witnessed the signing of three major agreements, including a treaty to avoid double taxation, a protocol to promote ties in the oil and gas sectors and an agreement to promote cooperation in the agriculture sector.
Trade volume between the Kingdom and Vietnam exceeds $291 million annually, with Vietnamese exports hitting $118 million.
Last year, a draft agreement on Vietnam was approved by the Shoura Council on a recommendation made by its committee for economic affairs and energy.
It included bilateral cooperation in areas such as agriculture, livestock and fisheries. The council also urged the two countries to concentrate on improving their economic cooperation and encourage entrepreneurs to invest in each other’s countries.
On his part, Doan outlined the significance of strengthening existing bilateral cooperation to promote trade and investment between the two countries.
Besides promoting social, political and economic activities between the Kingdom and Vietnam, the two parties also reviewed the possibility of reactivating the role of the existing parliamentary friendship committee between the two countries.
