(VOVworld) – Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh on Wednesday held talks with the Foreign Minister of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Ri Su Yong who is on an official visit to Vietnam. Deputy Prime Minister Minh hailed the visit amid both countries preparing to celebrate the 65^th anniversary of their diplomatic ties on January 31, 2015.

He said Vietnam valued and wanted to foster its friendship and cooperation with the DPRK and welcomed increased exchanges between the two countries’ ministries and sectors to increase mutual understanding and seek cooperative opportunities.

Minister Ri Su Yong expressed delight at his first visit to Vietnam and said that the traditional friendship was the most precious asset of the two nations. The DPRK wanted the two ministries to continue to boost bilateral cooperation in regional and international issues.

Both sides also discussed regional and international issues of common concern including the Korean Peninsula and the East Sea.