So said State President Nguyen Minh Triet at a reception for visiting Algerian National People’s Assembly Chairman Abdelaziz Ziari in Hanoi on January 20.

He said he was pleased with the fine developments of the friendship and cooperation between the two countries over the past time. Vietnam and Algeria have showed the solidarity, sharing and mutual assistance in their political relations while furthering bilateral economic, trade and investment ties, he said.

The State leader expressed his hope that Vietnamese and Algerian ministries, agencies and businesses will speed up cooperation and share experiences in economic development in order to meet the two countries’ aspirations.

For his part, Chairman Abdelaziz Ziari affirmed that the Algerian people consider Vietnam a close friend and wish to expand the comprehensive cooperation with the Southeast Asian country.

He spoke highly of Vietnam ’s great achievements during its renewal process and the building of a market economy, considering them valuable experiences for Algeria as the country is entering into the process of building a market economy.

He added that his visit aims to boost economic, trade and investment relations between the two nations.

On the same day, Chairman Abdelaziz Ziari had working sessions with Minister of Construction Nguyen Hong Quan, President of the Vietnam-Algeria Joint Committee and Chairwoman of the Hanoi municipal People’s Council Ngo Thi Doan Thanh. The two sides exchanged measures to speed up the exchange and cooperation between agencies and localities.

In the evening of January 20, the Algerian top legislator hosted a banquet for Vietnamese leaders./.