Vietnamese top party leader to visit DPRK to foster ties
HANOI (Xinhua): General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nong Duc Manh will pay an official visit to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) from Oct. 16-18 to enhance bilateral relations, Vietnam News Agency reported on Monday.
The visit, at the invitation of Secretary General of DPRK Labor Party and Chairman of the National Defense Committee, Kim Jong Il, is aimed at fostering the traditional friendship and economic ties between the two countries. The trip is also expected to help increase Vietnam's role, position and prestige in the international arena and demonstrate the country's involvement in resolving international issues and promoting peace on the Korean Peninsula, said the news agency.
Vietnam and the DPRK established diplomatic ties on Jan. 31, 1950. The two parties, states and peoples have lent helping hands to each other during the struggles for national liberation and the process of national construction and defense.
High-level officials of the two sides have exchanged visits, including the visits to the DPRK by late President Ho Chi Minh, late Prime Minister Pham Van Dong and former President Tran Duc Luong.
The DPRK's late President Kim Il Sung visited Vietnam twice and Prime Minister Kim Yong Il is scheduled to pay an official visit to Vietnam by the end of this month.
Vietnam and the DPRK have signed a number of important treaties and agreements, including an agreement on culture cooperation in November 1957, an agreement on scientific and technical cooperation in October 1958, a treaty on friendship and cooperation in 1961, an agreement on trade and maritime in December 1962 and an agreement on medical assistance in December 1966.
In addition, the two sides have reached agreements on visa exemptions for holders of diplomatic and official passports; on civil aviation transportation cooperation; shipping; trade; judicial assistance; investment promotion and protection; and double taxation avoidance.
An Inter-governmental Committee for Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation between Vietnam and the DPRK has also been established.
International
