Vietnam and Finland should increase regular visit exchanges to promote mutual understanding and trust as well as cooperation in all fields, especially in economics, trade, investment, science-technology and education.

The agreement was reached during talks in Hanoi on January 11 between the chairman of the Vietnam National Assembly, Nguyen Phu Trong, and the Speaker of the Finnish Parliament, Sauli Väinämö Niinistö, who arrived the day before for a four-day visit.

They shared the view that despite geographical distance, Vietnam and Finland have great potential for cooperation and development. They said in addition to a young and abundant labour, Vietnam’s political and economic stability is an important factor in building up investors’ trust.

Vietnam is one of the most attractive destinations for foreign investment, said Speaker Niinistö.

He said in the future Finland will focus on investing in clean technology and environment - potential areas of cooperation between Finland and Vietnam.

Mr Trong affirmed that Vietnam creates favourable conditions for foreign investors, including those from Finland, to operate efficiently in the country. He expressed his hope that more Finnish businesses will explore investment opportunities in Vietnam and establish long-term partnerships with their Vietnamese counterparts.

Mr Trong said that democratic practice is considered one of the criteria for building and developing society. In this regard, he said, Vietnam has promoted democracy in all areas to encourage the public’s creativity, contributing to national construction and development.

The chairman briefed his guest on the Vietnam National Assembly’s operations and hoped to learn from Finnish experience in formulating legislation and increasing operational efficiency of legislative bodies and deputies.

He thanked the Scandinavian nation for increasing its Official Development Assistance (ODA) for Vietnam and said that its ODA-funded projects have proven efficient in poverty reduction, forestry development, water supply, and scientific and technological development.

He also thanked Finland for supporting Vietnam in developing cooperative ties with the European Union as well as in international forums. He said Vietnam hopes to receive Finland’s continued support during negotiations of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) with the EU.

Mr Trong spoke highly of Finland’s position in the EU and hoped that the EU member country would persuade the EU to sooner recognise Vietnam as a market economy and reconsider its anti-dumping tax on imported Vietnamese leather shoes.

When chairing the Association of Southeast Asian nation (ASEAN) and the ASEAN Inter-parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) in 2010, Vietnam will help Finland strengthen ties with ASEAN, said Mr Trong.

Speaker Niinistö affirmed that Finland supports Vietnam in PCA negotiations as well as other EU issues. He also said Finland did not agree with the EU Council’s recent decision to extend the deadline for the anti-dumping tax on Vietnamese leather shoes imported to the EU for another 15 months.

He praised Vietnam’s development achievements recently and expressed his belief that the Vietnam National Assembly will play a more important role in promoting democracy and facilitating national development.

In the evening, Mr Trong hosted a banquet in honour of the Finnish Speaker and his entourage.