Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh holds online talks with Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay. (Photo: VNA)

Oktay made the announcement during a phone conversation with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Tuesday.

In reply, Pham thanked for Turkey’s aid of vaccine, medical equipment and supplies, expressing hope that both countries would collaborate closely in COVID-19 combat as well as economic recovery.

The pair affirmed they attach importance to the friendly relations between the two countries, and agreed to work actively to further promote the multi-faceted cooperation.

They underlined the need to kick off negotiations on a free trade agreement, step up air transport cooperation and trade promotion activities in a bid to fully tap the huge potential of bilateral economic cooperation.

On multilateral cooperation, the two leaders shared the view that the two countries should continue close consultation and coordination at international forums and organizations, especially the United Nations.

Regarding the East Sea issue, the two sides emphasized the importance of ensuring freedom of navigation and aviation, security, and peace in the region, and peaceful settlement of disputes on the basis of international law, particularly the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea./.