(VEN) – Before Timor-Leste Prime Minister’s visit to Vietnam from September 3-5, Vietnam Economic News’ Hoa Le had a conversation with Mr. Jorge Trindade Neves de Camões, Ambassador of Timor-Leste to Vietnam about the relations between our two countries.
What is Vietnam’s position on the external policy of Timor-Leste?
Vietnam is always supportive of Timor-Leste. It has been accompanying our socio-economic and political journey from the period of independence until the present time. We hope with the existing cooperation as well as continuous support from Vietnam and its leadership, Timor-Leste will be able to integrate to a greater extent into the regional and international community, particularly the ASEAN community.
We could say that our trade, investment cooperation has been slow because we lack information about each other. So, how could both countries deal with that in the future?
Since Timor-Leste opened its Embassy in Hanoi, in April 2012, Vietnamese people have gradually become more aware about Timor-Leste and the opportunities it can offer. But you are right, further exchange of information is needed so potential entrepreneurs from both countries can look at the investment opportunities that the two countries can offer. In 2009, Timor-Leste and Vietnam signed the “Rice Trade Agreement” and in 2010, the two countries also signed the “Framework Agreement on Technical and Economic Cooperation”. The two countries are committed to soon following up this Framework Agreement in areas of mutual interest. The Embassy will work closely with the relevant Vietnamese government authorities as well as with relevant authorities in Dili towards the implementation of this Framework Agreement.
Timor-Leste has great potential in terms of oil and gas. Do you think we should promote the cooperation in the field?
The Embassy has met with PETROVIETNAM’s officials and has learnt that it has wide ranging experience and expertise in the oil and gas sector. PETROVIETNAM has expressed its interest in expanding its business to Timor-Leste. That’s a very good sign. The Embassy will facilitate PETROVIETNAM and other relevant entities which engage in the oil and gas industry to meet with its counterparts as well as relevant government entities to explore this possibility.
Timor-Leste Prime Minister will come to Vietnam from September 3-5. Could you please tell us what the discussions will be focused on?
The visit is very important to further strengthen the already strong bilateral relations between the two countries. The leaders will discuss ways and means on how the two countries can cooperate for mutual benefit as well as share their views on regional and international issues which affect the life of the world today.
What is the significance of the visit to Vietnam – Timor-Leste relations, especially in the field of trade and investment?
The significance of the Prime Minister’s visit is to enhance the already strong bilateral relations that exist between the two countries and also to explore further ways and means on how the two countries could work together to enhance trade and investment cooperation which would mutually benefit the two countries and their people. Currently Timor-Leste and Vietnam have trade agreements on rice and also, VIETTEL has invested in Timor-Leste but we hope more Vietnam investors can visit and explore other potentials the country has.
I think there are many things we can do together to contribute to the development of socio-economic and political relations in our respective countries as well as for our coexistence at regional and international level./.
Đăng ký: VietNam News
