Santiago, Nov. 19 (VNA) - Chile supports Viet Nam's efforts to join the World Trade Organisation because it believes it is very important for Chile and Viet Nam to integrate into the world economy, Chilean President Ricardo Lagos told a Viet Nam News Agency correspondent at a joint press conference held by himself and Vietnamese President Tran Duc Luong in Santiago on Thursday. 

President Lagos said the two nations have seen fine development in their political relations, but bilateral economic and investment ties remain at a modest level. He was optimistic that the visit by President Luong, accompanied by a Vietnamese trade delegation, will lay a basis for the development of economic and trade ties between Chile and Viet Nam.

 For stronger economic ties, in addition to the private sector's efforts, the two States need to provide their support, the Chilean President said, pointing to the signing of the fisheries cooperation agreement as an example of such support. He also stressed the need to sign agreements on bilateral cooperation in agriculture, in science and technology.

 President Luong expressed his satisfaction at the fine political and diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and Chile, with the opening of their embassies in each other's country, the appointment of ambassadors, as well as the establishment of parliamentary and people's friendship associations. He praised Chile's preparations for APEC 12 and expressed his belief in the success of the summit. 

Luong said there are favourable conditions for the two countries to expand their cooperation in economics, healthcare, and science and technology. 

On the same day, President Lagos held a banquet in honour of President Luong and his entourage.

 In his speech at the banquet, President Lagos described the Vietnamese President's visit as an encouragement to the cooperation between the two countries. 

"Chile's deeply grateful for Viet Nam's support for planning and implementing the APEC year in Chile," President Lagos said, expressing his belief that Viet Nam will successfully organise  the next APEC summit in 2006.

 In his reply, President Luong said though geographically far apart, Viet Nam and Chile have many similarities in their history and culture as well as in conditions of development. The Vietnamese and Chilean people both have the same aspirations for peace, stability, cooperation and development.  

The Vietnamese President thanked Chile for its support for Viet Nam's admission to the WTO. He said the two countries are coordinating closely to ensure success for the APEC summit in Chile this year and in Viet Nam in 2006. 

President Luong also visited the late President Salvador Allende's wife and daughter.