PM Nguyễn Tấn Dũng made the emphasis in the August 16 interview after his successful visits to five ASEAN nations. "The visits aim to cement and deepen the friendship and cooperation with those countries, confirming Việt Nam's diplomatic policy to place importance on developing bilateral ties with the neighbors, including Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore, Myanmar and Brunei," said the PM.

The Government chief stated that all leaders and politicians in the host countries highly praised Việt Nam's rapid and sustainable development in all fields.

"I am convinced that the visits' outcomes will create a strong momentum to strengthen the friendship and multifaceted cooperation between Việt Nam and ASEAN countries in the time to come," PM Nguyễn Tấn Dũng affirmed.

It is reported that during the PM's visits, Việt Nam and the host countries have signed seven Governmental-level cooperation, including the Program of Action 2007-2010 with the Philippines, memoranda of understanding (MoU) on cultural cooperation with Indonesia and the Philippines; an MoU on cooperation in anti-corruption with Indonesia; an agreement on trade promotion with the Philippines; an agreement on double-tax avoidance with Brunei; and an MoU on sports cooperation with Brunei. Vietnamese businesses also managed to sign many cooperative agreements on gas and oil, credit, tourism, and urban construction, worth of billions of US dollars.

By Xuân Hồng