The agreement will work as a foundation for long-term cooperation between the two countries, said Saudi Arabian Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Nizar bin Obaid Madani, who signed the document with Foreign Minister Nguyen Dy Nien during his three-day official visit to Viet Nam beginning on May 23.

During the visit, the Saudi Arabian diplomat held talks with Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Phu Binh on May 24.

Upon learning of the Vietnamese government's decision to post a representative mission in Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Arabian official hailed the move as an important step to increase ties between the two countries.

He told his host that Saudi Arabia will consider the establishment of a representative office in Viet Nam as soon as possible.

At the talks, the two sides discussed orientations to further bilateral cooperation in economics, trade, investment, labour and the oil and gas industry, with the hope that the two countries will usher in a new stage of development.

During his stay in Viet Nam, the Saudi Arabian diplomat paid a courtesy visit to President Tran Duc Luong, and held working sessions with Foreign Minister Nguyen Dy Nien, Trade Minister Truong Dinh Tuyen and Minister of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs Nguyen Thi Hang./.