Vienna (VNA) – Austrian Government and Parliament leaders pledged to support Vietnam ’s ongoing renewal process and provide assistance to the country in the course of integrating into the global economy.

President of Austrian Parliament Barbara Prammer and Prime Minister Aflred Gusenbauer made the pledge when meeting President Nguyen Minh Triet in Vienna on June 3.

They affirmed that as a counterpart of Vietnam in the EU, Austria treasures the acceleration of its ties with Vietnam in all fields, particularly in economy, trade and investment.

The Austrian leaders committed to quickly deploying agreements reached between the two countries during President Triet’s visit.

In the meeting with Parliament President Barbara Prammer, President Triet said he was pleased with the relationship between the two law-making bodies and hoped it will further grow with increases in the exchange of visits and the sharing of experience and expertise.

He regarded parliamentary cooperation as one of the effective cooperative channels in the two countries’ multi-faceted ties, expressing hope that the Austrian Parliament in general and the President in particular would continue to lend helping hands to Vietnam’s renovation and integration.

Meeting Prime Minister Alfred Gusenbauer, President Triet said Vietnam will continue pursuing its foreign policy of openness, multilateralisation and diversification of international relations, and actively integrating into the region and the world.

He affirmed the country will further improve its investment and business environment to create a level playing ground for both local and foreign investors.

The Vietnamese leader thanked the Austrian government for its development aid, saying Austrian-aid projects have contributed practically to Vietnam ’s socio-economic development and its efforts to reduce poverty.

President Triet expected the Austrian PM to take measures to encourage Austrian businesspeople to increase investment in Vietnam , especially in the precision mechanical industry, machinery engineering, transport and communications, pharmacy, tourism and the environment, where Austria is strong.

President Triet assured the Austrian leaders that Vietnam places importance on its relationship with the European Union, to which Austria plays an important role.

He asked Austria to support Vietnam in negotiations for the signing of a partnership and cooperation agreement with the EU.

President Triet also called on Austria to do more to help Vietnam gain the European Commission’s Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) status and preferential tariffs for the country’s exports to the EU.

The President asserted Vietnam’s backing of Austria’s candidacy for a non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council in the 2009-2010 term, while thanking the European country for its support for Vietnam ’s entry into the World Trade Organisation and becoming a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in the 2008-09 term.