Leaders welcome Iranian President Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong hosted a reception for visiting Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Hanoi on November 9. Trong highly valued the achievements Iran has recorded during its national construction and development, and congratulated the country on successfully organising the 16th Non-Aligned Movement Summit. He said he believes that Iran will fulfil its task as President of the movement. The Party leader also expressed his pleasure at the fine development of bilateral relations in the recent past, and said he hoped that the two countries will continue exchanging delegations at various levels and increasing trade cooperation as well as expanding cultural and educational activities to deepen mutual understandings. Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong receives Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Photo: PANO Ahmadinejad said he is delighted with his first visit to Vietnam. He congratulated the country on its achievements made in the renewal led by the Communist Party of Vietnam, adding that Vietnam will enjoy remarkable development in the future. He stated that Iran attaches importance to the fostering of traditional friendship and cooperation with Vietnam, as well as actively supporting Vietnam at multi-lateral forums within the framework of the United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement. The same day, the Iranian President was received by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, who said that the President’s visit will contribute to further cementing the relations between the two nations. Dung affirmed that Vietnam attaches importance to the development of friendship and cooperation with Iran, and will try its best to work with the country to further strengthen and boost bilateral relations. According to the PM, there is much potential to foster bilateral cooperation, especially in economics, trade and investment. He suggested that the two sides continue exploiting potential and advantages for cooperation and development - for the common interests of both countries. For his part, the Iranian President suggested the two nations strengthen trade exchange, especially in aquatic and agricultural products - to increase two-way trade turnover in the future. Iran will create favourable conditions to help Vietnamese products penetrate the Iranian market, he concluded. Source: VNA