FM Nguyen Dy Nien explores potential with EU countries


Dec. 12 (VNA) -- Foreign Minister Nguyen Dy Nien sought stronger economic ties with several European countries at bilateral meetings in Vientiane, Laos, on Dec. 11 during the ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting.

He spoke with delegates from France, Italy, Ireland and Spain about Viet Nam's policy to accelerate economic cooperation with other countries.

Nien emphasized the importance of the economic ties between Viet Nam and European countries to relations between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN, and the European Union, EU.

At his meeting with the French Minister for Cooperation and Francophony Charles Josselin, who Co-Chaired the just-concluded 13th ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting, Nien discussed details of French economic initiatives.

These included the economic development of the Francephone community.

Italy's Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr. Ugo Intini, Ireland's Finance Minister Matin Cullen and Spain's Deputy Foreign Minister Miguel Nadal, all expressed their wish for further development of bilateral cooperation in economy, trade, investment and information technology as well as in international forums.

The 13th ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting was held in Vientiane, Laos, on Dec. 11 and 12