(VOVworld)-Vietnam and the Republic of Korea have released a joint communiqué at the end of Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung’s visit to Korea. The 2 sides agreed to increase high-level visits, develop dialogue mechanisms and promote cooperation in diplomacy, security and national defense. They renewed their determination to bring 2-way trade to 20 billion USD before 2015 and to launch negotiations on a bilateral free trade agreement as soon as necessary procedures are finalized. The 2 countries agreed to work with the International Atomic Energy Agency on a pilot project to install a radioactive source-tracking system in Vietnam and will continue to cooperate in using nuclear energy for peaceful purposes and ensuring nuclear safety, security and non-proliferation. Vietnam and the Republic of Korea voiced concerns over Pyongyang’s planned rocket launch and stressed the need to seriously honor related UN Security Council resolutions.
During talks with Prime Minister Dung on Thursday, Korean Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik said that his country considers Vietnam a key partner in development and investment cooperation. The 2 Government leaders witnessed the signing of an agreement on Korean loans for solar energy and waste water treatment projects in Vietnam. 

Earlier the same day, Prime Minister Dung chaired a round-table discussion on green and sustainable development with representatives of 50 leading Korean groups, research institutes and economic organizations. He said: “As a responsible member of the World Trade Organization and a strategic partner of the Republic of Korea, Vietnam attaches great importance to and supports Korean businesses. We look forward to more Korean investment, particularly in infrastructure, high technology, manufacturing, green growth and clean energy. Vietnam will continue to improve its investment climate with priority given to stabilizing the macro-economy and maintaining a reasonable growth rate.”      

 Thanh Chung/VOVTV