VIETNAM - ROK JOINT COMMUNIQUE

2. On April 19, the two PMs held talks to discuss measures to implement agreements reached at the high-level meeting in October 2004 during RoK President Roh Moo-hyun's visit to Viet Nam. The two PMs agreed upon constructive measures to promote result-oriented cooperation between the two countries in the future as follows:

a. The two PMs were satisfied with RoK businesses' active contributions to Viet Nam's economic development. They agreed to boost close cooperation in all fields, including improving the investment environment in Viet Nam with a view to promoting RoK businesses' investment in construction, information, post and telecommunications, energy and natural resources. The RoK PM asked Viet Nam to create more opportunities for RoK businesses in infrastructure construction, including the building of a residential area to the west of Ha Noi's West Lake and the Kumho Plaza in Ho Chi Minh City, and the construction of power plants. He further asked for additional opportunities in oil and natural gas exploitation, and the establishment of an industrial park for RoK enterprises. The Vietnamese side said it will do its utmost to cooperate with the RoK.

b. The two PMs were pleased to note that trade between the two countries has seen strong developments in only a short time, and agreed to join efforts to double two-way trade turnover by 2010 and carry out effective measures to balance their trade.

c. PM Lee Hae-chan supported Viet Nam's entry into the World Trade Organisation (WTO), and said he hoped that it would help develop not only bilateral trade relations between Viet Nam and the RoK but also the multilateral trade system in the world. The two sides were satisfied with the great recent progress in Viet Nam-RoK bilateral negotiations and agreed to continue cooperating in order to finish the negotiations as soon as possible.

d. The two PMs held that the projects to build a Viet Nam-RoK information technology school in central Da Nang city and a solid waste treatment plant in northern Ninh Binh province, which were signed during RoK President Roh Moo-hyun's official visit to Viet Nam in October 2004, are being implemented smoothly. The two PMs agreed to coordinate closely in implementing the additional projects the RoK is considering, which involve the building of a polyclinic in the central region and five vocational training schools across Viet Nam.

e. The two PMs shared the same view that increasing exchanges in many fields between the two countries' people would serve as a basis for bilateral relation development. They agreed to further increase exchanges and cooperation in culture, education, and tourism in the time to come.

f. The two PMs agreed to boost cooperation at international forums such as the United Nations, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, the ASEAN+3, and especially to cooperate closely in organising the 13th APEC Summit in Busan, the RoK, in November of 2005, and the 14th APEC Summit in Ha Noi, Viet Nam, in 2006.

3. The two PMs witnessed an exchange of letters, which approved a protocol on the exchange of the documents ratifying an agreement on the extradition of criminals, and a protocol on the exchange of documents ratifying an agreement on mutual judicial support in the penal area. They also witnessed the signing of an agreement on non-refundable aid and technical assistance, an agreement on personnel training in nuclear power, and a contract on the sale of natural gas from Viet Nam's Block 11-2 to the RoK. The two PMs agreed that the exchange of the approval letters and the signing of the agreements will further boost the two countries' relations.

4. On April 19, 2005, PM Lee Hae-chan paid a courtesy visit to President Tran Duc Luong, during which they discussed regional and international issues. The RoK PM urged the Vietnamese Government to continue supporting peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula. President Tran Duc Luong expressed his strong support for the policy of peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula and the RoK Government's efforts to settle the Korean Peninsula issue through dialogues.

5. On April 20, 2005, PM Lee Hae-chan paid a courtesy visit to General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Nong Duc Manh. PM Lee Hae-chan conveyed the best regards of RoK President Roh Moo-hyun to the Vietnamese Party General Secretary and repeated the RoK President's invitation to Party General Secretary Manh to visit the RoK at a suitable time. Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh expressed his sincere thanks for President Roh Moo-hyun's warm sentiments and invitation, and said he agreed with PM Lee Hae-chan's views on boosting comprehensive partnership between the two countries, including the ties between Parties, National Assemblies, agencies and mass organisations.

6. The two PMs described PM Lee Hae-chan's official visit to Viet Nam as a chance to further enhance the Viet Nam-RoK comprehensive partnership that has deeply developed since an official visit to Viet Nam by President Roh Moo-hyun in October 2004. PM Lee Hae-chan expressed his sincere thanks to PM Phan Van Khai, the Vietnamese Government and people for their warm reception and hospitality.