Foreign Minister Dr Rana calls on Vietnamese Vice President

Kathmandu, Aug 23: Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Arzu Rana Deuba paid a courtesy call on Vice President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Vo Thi Anh Xuan here today.     

The Vietnamese Vice President arrived in Kathmandu today for a three-day official visit to Nepal at the friendly invitation of Vice President Ram Sahay Prasad Yadav.     

During the meeting, various dimensions of Nepal-Vietnam relations as well as issues of bilateral interest and mutual concern were discussed.     

On the occasion, Minister Dr Rana emphasized the need to highlight the cultural relations between the two countries, while adding that Buddhism is a strong link in expanding relations between the two countries and their peoples. She also said that both countries can work together in the field of cultural tourism promotion, citing the fact that many Vietnamese citizens visit Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Gautam Buddha.     

Minister Dr Rana also requested for support from Vietnam to create an environment conducive for direct flights to Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa and Pokhara International Airport in Pokhara.     

The Foreign Minister also sought Vietnam's support to Nepal's candidacy for 2027-2029 membership of the UN Human Rights Council and 2029-2031 membership of the Economic and Social Council. In response, Vice President Vo expressed her commitment to support Nepal in this regard.     

During the meeting, the two leaders also discussed about Nepal and Vietnam cooperating and supporting each other at bilateral and multilateral forums, the need to move forward with cooperation on global agenda such as South-South cooperation and climate change in the coming days.     

As member countries of the G77 and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), Nepal and Vietnam should continue working together to protect the interests of developing countries.(RSS)