"Vietnamand Qatar enjoy very good political and diplomatic relations, and wehave recorded a number of achievements in recent years. The potentialfor further promoting our bilateral relations is huge and needs to betapped in the future. What we have achieved so far is not commensuratewith this potential, and we hope that in future we will make furtherefforts so that we can increase cooperation in many areas,” the DeputyPM said.
Vietnam and Qatar first established diplomatic relations20 years ago, he said, adding that his official visit to Qatar onDecember 14-15 was to further and promote bilateral relations in severalspheres, including economic, cultural, social as well as in terms ofinvestment and tourism.
In recent years, Vietnam and Qatar havebeen seeing their relations developing in various sectors, according tothe Deputy PM. The two countries have exchanged a number of high-levelvisits, while the bilateral economic relations between Qatar and Vietnamalso enjoy steady development.
He noted that bilateral tradeturnover reached 265 million USD in 2013, an 8 percent increase over theprevious year."This tendency will also continue in the future," headded.
Coinciding with the official visit, 'Vietnam Days in Qatar2014' was held in Doha, including a series of political, economic, andcultural activities to strengthen the cooperative and friendlyrelationship in various sectors and to promote cultural exchangesbetween Vietnam and Qatar.
He said his official visit to Qatar aswell as 'Vietnam Days in Qatar' demonstrate that the government ofVietnam attaches great importance to relations with Qatar.
“Wewould also like to maintain a good exchange of high-level delegationsand bring to Qatar the images of the Vietnamese people, and of ourcountry. We have a lot of activities that will take place in the comingdays," he added.
The Deputy PM attended the Vietnam-Qatar Economic Cooperation Forum, a highlight of Vietnam Days in Qatar 2014.
Hepraised Qatar's rapid development and its people's hospitality,congratulating the country on its fast development in such a shortperiod of time.-VNA