Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Ha Noi, Oct. 22 (VNA) -- Viet Nam and Saudi Arabia have agreed to establish bilateral diplomatic relation at ambassadorial level.

A joint communique to this effect was signed in New York on Oct. 21 by Vietnamese and Saudi Arabian Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary and Permanent Representatives to the United Nations, Ngo Quang Xuan and Fawzi Shobokshi, respectively.

The communique stated that with a common aspiration to strengthen and boost bilateral friendship and cooperation in conformity with the United Nations Charter's principles and objectives and the principles of the Vienna Convention of April 18, 1961 on diplomatic relations, the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have decided to establish diplomatic ties at the ambassadorial level.

Ambassador Ngo Quang Xuan of Viet Nam said that the signing of the communique can be considered as a historic event in the bilateral relationship between the two nations. He stressed that although Saudi Arabian investors and businesspeople have been present in Viet Nam, for a long time its is important to establish official diplomatic relations as this will serve to accelerate bilateral ties, particularly in economic development and trade.

In his reply, Ambassador Fawzi Shobokshi described the signing of the communique as an important event in the diplomatic relationship between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Viet Nam as well as other countries in East and Southeast Asia. It provides a legal basis for Saudi Arabian investors wishing to do business in Viet Nam and encourages those who have already started business in the country to take a more active part in the Vietnamese market.

Both Ambassdors expressed their confidence that the relationship between Viet Nam and Saudi Arabia will go from strength to strength.