Abu Dhabi (VNA)– Vice State President Vo Thi Anh Xuan underlined the importance Vietnam attaches to itsrelations with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), during a meeting with Presidentof the UAE SheikhMohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on May 3 morning.

The meeting, following a welcomeceremony for the Vice President of Vietnam, was also joined by Vice Presidentof the UAE Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed.

The UAE President hailed the workingvisit by Vice President Xuan amid the 30th founding anniversary ofthe two countries’ diplomatic relationship (August 1, 1993 - 2023), affirmingthat his country views Vietnam as an important partner in the Asia-Pacific regionand wishes to enhance all-round cooperation.

Vice President Xuan stated thatVietnam treasures and hopes to further strengthen the friendship andmultifaceted ties with the UAE – a leading economic, trade, and investmentpartner in the Middle East.

The two sides discussed orientationsand measures for promoting partnerships in various spheres and elevatingcooperation to a new height.

They stressed the need to increase mutualvisits at all levels, especially high one, coordinate closely and supporteach other at international and regional forums and organisations, and step uppeople-to-people and cultural exchanges, particularly in celebration of the 30th anniversary of the diplomatic relationship, to enhance friendship and mutualunderstanding between the two peoples.

Both host and guest expressed their satisfaction at the strides in bilateral economic connections, including bilateral tradetopping 5 billion USD annually.

To raise the trade revenue to 10billion USD and higher, Xuan recommended the two sides encourage enterprises toengage in investment and trade promotion activities, create optimal conditionsfor each other’s strong exports, and continue perfecting the legal framework tofacilitate economic links, especially soon launching negotiations on a comprehensiveeconomic partnership agreement (CEPA) between the two countries.

Basing on the two countries’strengths and demand, the Vietnamese and UAE leaders agreed to boostcooperation in other potential fields such as investment, oil and gas,renewable energy, logistics, agriculture, and Halal product manufacturing. Theyalso agreed to hold a meeting of the Vietnam - UAE Inter-governmental Committeethis year to review and devise measures for cooperation enhancement.

At the meeting, the UAE Presidentappreciated contributions by Vietnamese people in his country, affirming thatthe UAE Government will continue providing favourable conditions for thecommunity to develop further and contribute more to the two countries’friendship.

On this occasion, Vice President Xuanconveyed Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong’s invitation to the UAE President tovisit Vietnam in the near future. She also invited the Vice President of theUAE to visit the Southeast Asian country at a suitable point of time. The UAEleaders thanked her and accepted the invitations with pleasure./.