(VNF) - National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan has said the visit of Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim is a new milestone in bilateral ties and reiterated the importance that Vietnam attaches to Turkey as an important trade partner.

NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan (R) welcomes Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim. (Source: VNA)

Welcoming the Turkish PM in Hanoi on August 23^rd, the NA Chairwoman said she hopes the successful talks between Binali Yildirim and Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, along with cooperative deals signed and the business forum held during the visit, will open up a new chapter in economic and investment partnership between the two countries.

On the engagement between the two countries’ parliaments, the top legislator regretted that the exchange of delegations is not frequent, expressing her hope that friendship parliamentarians’ groups will work as the bridge to promote ties between the two legislatures.

Ngan suggested increasing visits and contacts between high-ranking officials of the two countries to enhance political trust and expand cooperation. The two countries should also coordinate and support each other at regional and international forums, she said.

PM Binali Yildirim said he was pleased to be the first Turkish PM to make an official visit to Vietnam. He hailed Vietnam’s important position in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and asked the country to help Turkey boost ties with ASEAN countries.

As the two sides touched upon the East Sea situation, the Turkish PM affirmed support of the stance of Vietnam and ASEAN countries on settling East Sea disputes by peaceful measures and through dialogue, with respect for international law.

During the meeting between National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan and Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim. (Image cut from news program broadcasting on VTV1)

On same day, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his Turkish counterpart Binali Yildirim had a meeting discussing measures to promote trade and investment partnership between the two countries in Hanoi.

The Turkish PM arrived in Hanoi on August 22^nd, beginning his official visit to Vietnam to August 24^th at the invitation of Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, marking the first time a Turkish Premier or President visits Vietnam.

The visit looks to develop wide-ranging relations between the two countries. It allows the two countries to seek measures to deepen their cooperation in trade-investment, science-technology, transport, education-training and more.

Vietnam and Turkey set up diplomatic relations on June 7^th, 1978. In February 1997, Turkey established its embassy in Hanoi. In October 1999, Vietnam opened a Trade Representative Office in Istanbul and in July 2002, Vietnam launched its Consulate General, also in Istanbul. The Consulate General was upgraded to an embassy and moved to Ankara, the capital city of Turkey, in October 2003.

Turkey is the leading trade partner of Vietnam in the Middle East. Last year, two-way trade reached USD 1.51 billion, with Vietnam earning USD 1.36 billion from exports to Turkey. Currently, Turkey firms are running 15 projects worth USD 704 million in Vietnam, ranking 26^th among foreign investors in the country.

In June 2016, the Turkish Airlines opened an air route connecting Hanoi and Istanbul through Ho Chi Minh City with seven flights per week. Earlier, the two countries signed agreements on aviation, maritime transportation and double tax avoidance./.

VNF