Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani has praised his talks with senior Vietnamese officials as successful, saying his visit to Southeast Asian state opens a “new chapter” in Tehran-Hanoi relations.
Rouhani made the remarks at a meeting with Nguyen Phu Trong, the general secretary of the ruling Communist Party of Vietnam, in Hanoi on Thursday.
The Iranian chief executive said that grounds are prepared for the expansion of ties between the two countries, especially after last year’s nuclear deal between Tehran and six world powers.
“Private sectors of Iran and Vietnam are interested in broadening relations and in doing so, the reinforcement of cooperation, especially in the areas of energy, new technologies, banking, agriculture and fishery will be of special importance," Rouhani said.
He underlined the need for expanding banking ties at the same pace with bilateral political and economic relations.
Rouhani also expressed hope that the 9th Iran-Vietnam Joint Commission, which is expected to be held soon, will pave the way for creating more dynamism in Tehran-Hanoi relations.
He further voiced Tehran’s readiness for enhanced relations in scientific and cultural areas among universities and research centers.
The two countries enjoy common views on many major international and regional issues, Rouhani said, stressing that Iran’s foreign policy is based on independence and non-interference in other countries’ affairs.
The Vietnamese official, for his part, referred to long-standing and good relations with Iran and the capacities for bolstering relations.
He also congratulated Iran on its achievements, especially in the nuclear talks, saying that Hanoi attaches special importance to enhanced ties with Tehran.
Relations should also be developed in educational, scientific and agricultural fields, Trong added.
Economic ties between the two countries is not as deep as the friendship between the two nations and efforts should be made to forge closer ties, he concluded.
Rouhani is on a visit to Vietnam as the first leg of a Southeast Asian tour which will also take him to Malaysia and Thailand.