Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Ha Noi, July 14 (VNA) -- Viet Nam and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) released a joint communique in Ha Noi in July 14, on the official friendship visit to Viet Nam by President of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK Kim Yong Nam from July 11-14 as the guest of President Tran Duc Luong.

Following are main excerpts of the joint communique:

The Vietnamese side warmly welcomes and supports the historical North-South summit and the June 15, 2000 North-South Joint Communique of the two Koreas, highly values the efforts made by the DPRK Government in implementing the agreements reached during the summit between the two Koreas, and believes that the people of the two Koreas and overseas Koreans would certainly realise their aspiration for a peaceful, sovereign, and unified Korea.

The two sides are pleased at the fact that over the past 50 years the traditionally friendly and cooperative relations between Viet Nam and the DPRK which were cultivated by President Ho Chi Minh and President Kim Il Sung, have continued to develop.

Both sides believe in furthering developing the two countries' ties in the 21st century, and agree that the two governments will negotiate to build a necessary legal basis for promotion and expansion of exchanges and cooperation in political, economic, cultural and other fields between the two countries.

The two sides will continue to maintain regular contacts at different levels, including high-level meetings, promoting cooperation and the exchange of ideas between their agencies and mass organizations.

The two sides agree to hold the 4th session of the two countries' Inter-governmental Commission for Economic, Scientific, and Technical Cooperation as soon as possible in order to promote their economic and commercial relations in accordance with the fine political ties, potentials and conditions of the two countries.

The two sides agree to continue to boost cooperation in culture, education, healthcare, physical training, sports, tourism and other fields.

The two sides agreed that the world is entering the 21st century with a number of complicated problems, but that the trend towards peace, stability and cooperation for development will still dominate. The two sides plan to contribute to building a new world on the principles of independence, sovereignty, mutual respect, justice, equality, peace, stability and development. The two sides express concern over the danger of a new arms race that might threaten peace and security in the region and the world as a whole, and strongly oppose any interference into the internal affairs of sovereign nations. The two countries will accelerate mutual support and coordination of action at international and regional forums such as the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement, and the ASEAN Regional Forum, ARF. The two sides agree to promote solidarity and cooperation with developing countries in the interests of all people for peace, stability, and development in the Asia-Pacific region and the world as a whole, and to join efforts in establishing a rational international economic order of justice and equality between nations.

The two sides highly value the active role played by the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN, in maintaining peace and development in the region. The Korean party expresses support for Vietnam's efforts in promoting its active role in ASEAN's activitives.

The two sides express satisfaction about the outcome of the official visit to Viet Nam by President of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly Kim Yong Nam of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and expressed their belief that the visit will make an important contribution to boosting the traditional friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

President Kim Yong Nam invites President Tran Duc Luong to visit the DPRK at a convenient time. President Luong expresses thanks and accepts the invitation.--VNA