Vietnam attaches importance to strengthening friendship and cooperation with the Dominican Republic, Vietnamese Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh has said.

At a reception for the Minister of the Dominican Republic, Miguel Mejia in Hanoi on July 5, who is attending the Vietnam – Latin America trade and investment forum, FM Minh said he hopes the two sides will increase the exchanges and visits at all levels and sign cooperation agreements, with a view to promoting economic and trade ties to match the two countries’ needs.

Minh also proposed Dominican Republic promptly recognise Vietnam as a market economy.

Mejia said the Dominican Republic will pay attention to this issue, adding that he hopes the two countries will enhance multi-faceted cooperation, and Vietnamese businesses will step up investment in the country in the near future.

The two sides also reached a consensus on a range of measures to boost bilateral cooperation as well as work closely at international and regional forums, including the United Nations and the East Asia – Latin America Cooperation Forum.-VNA