During the visit, President Hassan Rouhani paid a courtesy call to Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, held talks with President Tran Dai Quang and met Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

In a warm and open atmosphere, the leaders of the two countries informed each other of the situation in each country, expressed satisfaction at the progress in bilateral relations since the two countries established diplomatic relations more than 40 years ago, especially the positive developments following the visit to Iran by President Truong Tan Sang in March 2016. The two sides discussed and agreed on orientations and measures to further tighten political ties, and priorities to expand economic cooperation as a basis for deepening substantial bilateral relations.

*At the Presidential Palace, President Tran Dai Quang held talks with President H.Rouhani. On behalf of the State and people of Vietnam, President Tran Dai Quang warmly welcomed President Hassan Rouhani and the Iranian high-ranking delegation’s visit to Vietnam, stressing that the visit demonstrates the respect and the will of Iranian leaders to deepen the cooperation relations and friendship between the two countries. President Tran Dai Quang congratulated Iran for signing the Joint Comprehensive Program of Action (JCPOA) and the progress made after the agreement was signed, including the lifting of the embargo, opening the opportunity to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the fields of politics, economy and culture. The President also thanked Iran for supporting Vietnam’s candidacies in international organizations, especially within the framework of the United Nations and asked Iran to support Vietnam’s candidacies for UNESCO Director General for the 2017-2021 tenure and member of the International Law Commission in 2017-2021 term. The Iranian sides took note of Vietnam’s request and committed to take the request into consideration.

President H. Rouhani expressed his pleasure to visit Vietnam, and thanks to the leaders and people of Vietnam for their warm welcome and respect for the Iranian high-ranking delegation. The President expressed admiration for President Ho Chi Minh and General Vo Nguyen Giap, and the will of the people of Vietnam in the struggle for national independence. President H.Rouhani congratulated Vietnam for its achievements in various fields, maintenance of social security and sustainable growth, improvement of the investment environment and deepening of international and regional economic integration. President H.Rouhani highly appreciated Vietnam’s supports to Iran’s joining the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in ASEAN (TAC). Accordingly, the two sides are willing to strengthen cooperation in relevant fields and make joint efforts for progress and prosperity of Asian region including ASEAN.

Exchanging views on prospects of cooperation in the political aspect, the two leaders agreed to continue the traditional mutual assistance in order to realize development goals for prosperity of the two countries, for peace in the region and the world. The two sides agreed to further intensify more frequent and wider exchange of visits and contacts at various levels and via different channels between the governments, parliaments, localities, people to people, businesses, and continue to bring into play existing cooperation mechanisms such as the Inter-Governmental Committee, and political consultations.

For international issues, the two sides were of the same view that the regional and international situation is experiencing profound and complex changes. In such a condition, both sides emphasized the cooperation of developing countries in international affairs. The two leaders shared the belief that peace and stability in South East Asia and West Asia should be maintained in the interest of the international community.

On trade and investment, the two sides pledged to provide favorable conditions for businesses of both countries to increase access to each other’s market so as to achieve the targeted bilateral trade turnover of US$ 2 billion in the coming time. Both sides shared the idea of cooperating in rice plantation in Vietnam for exporting to Iran. The Vietnamese side took note of the Iranian side’s proposals regarding the establishment of joint committees on investment and banking.

The two sides agreed to further strengthen consultation and exchange of views in fighting against illegal trafficking of goods, drugs and drug-related materials, transnational and cyber crimes, consolidating relevant cooperation mechanisms. The two sides signed the Agreement on Mutual Abolition of Visas for Holders of Official/Service Passports between the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the field of information and communication between the Ministry of Information and Communications of Vietnam and the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology of Iran.

On this occasion, President H.Rouhani invited President Tran Dai Quang to visit Iran at an appropriate time. President Tran Dai Quang accepted the invitation with pleasure.

*On 6 October, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc met President H.Rouhani. Recalling the impressive visit to Iran in October 2014, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc expressed thanks to the hospitality of the leaders and people of Iran towards Vietnam. The Government and people of Vietnam sincerely congratulated the President and the people of Iran for the lifting of embargo and the conclusion of the comprehensive nuclear agreement with the P5+1, opening up the great cooperation prospect that the two countries should seize, and closely collaborate for the development of each country, and for the benefit of both peoples.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc suggested the two sides focus on play up the strength of the two countries. Given Iran’s potential in the oil and gas, the Prime Minister suggested the Iranian government to continues supporting the Vietnam National Petroleum Corporation in the process of restarting oil exploration project at Lot Danan.

On the East Sea issue, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc suggested Iran to continue supporting the maintenance of peace, stability, maritime and aviation freedom, security and safety, settlement of disputes through peaceful means in line with international law, full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and early conclusion of the Code of Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (COC) in 2017.

For his part, President H.Rouhani affirmed that the purpose of the visit to Vietnam this time was to demonstrate the high political will of Iran in promoting relations with Vietnam. H.Rouhani President agreed with Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc to create more favorable conditions for businesses of the two countries to strengthen cooperation and investment cooperation in third countries. President H.Rouhani also proposed to Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on establishing a shipping line to enhance bilateral trade cooperation.

* Also on 6 September, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong received President H.Rouhani. The Party General Secretary informed President H. Rouhani of the results of the 12th Party Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam, expressed his elation at the development of Vietnam-Iran relations in recent times, and affirmed that the Party and State of Vietnam has always set great store by promoting friendly and cooperative relations with traditional friendly countries in the Middle East, including Iran.

President H.Rouhani congratulated the successful outcome of the 12th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam, and the elections to the 14th National Assembly and People's Councils at all levels. He highly appreciated achievements in the renovation process, the foreign policy of independence, self-reliance and active role of Vietnam in the region and in the international arena.

The two leaders highly valued bilateral relations over the past time, and agreed to further strengthen friendly relations, as well as promote cooperation between Iran and Vietnam in the coming time for mutual benefits and contribute to peace and development of the region and the world.

The visit to Vietnam by the Iranian President at a time when both countries are entering a new phase of the integration and development with expectations on economic growth and social progress will create new impetus to further promote bilateral cooperation, maximize the advantages of the two countries, thus contribute to the development of each country, for the benefit of two peoples, and for peace in the region and the world.