Belarus, Vietnam Pledge Closer Economic Ties

Excerpt from report by Belarusian privately-owned news agency Belapan

Minsk, 7 April: Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka and his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Minh Triet have signed a joint declaration pledging to raise cooperation in all spheres onto a higher plane. The document was signed in Hanoi today.

The presidents reaffirmed the parties’ determination to expand bilateral trade and further cooperation in the areas of machine building, agriculture, electronics, mining, and petrochemicals.

Summarizing the results of his talks with Nguyen Minh Triet, Lukashenka said that “we hope for a significant breakthrough in bilateral trade and an increased turnover. Belarus has a great deal to offer in this regard.” He added that Belarus is ready to supply Vietnam with diesel engines and in the future to set up a manufacturing facility there. Lukashenka said that a contract for more than 500 MTZ tractors had already been signed.

A framework cooperation agreement between Belnaftakhim [Belarusian state oil concern] and Petrovietnam was signed today in the presence of the two presidents.

[Passage omitted: Belarus and Vietnam to cooperate in the field of education]

Nguyen Minh Triet said that Belarus and Vietnam will counteract any attempts on the part of third parties to meddle in bilateral relations. “If any party would like to derail friendly relations between Belarus and Vietnam, we will jointly fight to make sure that our cooperation continue without cease for the benefit of our peoples,” he stressed.

“We would like our relations with Belarus to develop in all realms. Vietnam regards Belarus its traditional friend since Belarus continues to render support and aid to the Vietnamese people,” Nguyen Minh Triet said.

Originally published by Belapan news agency, Minsk, in Russian 0610 7 Apr 08.

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