Vietnam, Haiti push for stronger ties (VOV) - Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and Haitian President Michel Martelly have concurred to consolidate political relations and develop economic and cultural cooperation on a par with each side’s potential. Immediately after an official welcoming ceremony for PM Dung on the morning of March 28 (local time), the Vietnamese Government leader met with President Michel Martelly Dung congratulated his host on Haiti’s achievements in socio-political stabilization, economic integration, and overcoming the consequences of the earthquake which occurred in 2010. He also hailed the outcomes of the “Five E” Plan ((employment, état de droit (rule of law), education, environment and energy) initiated by President Michel Martelly since 2011. PM Dung said that Vietnamese people will never forget the valuable support of Haiti during the Southeast Asian country’s past struggle for national independence and freedom.   The Haitian President and PM welcomed PM Nguyen Tan Dung. The two leaders voiced confidence that the sound relationship between the two nations will provide a firm foundation for advancing future bilateral cooperation. They noted that Vietnam-Haiti relations have seen positive developments, especially since Haitian PM Laurent Salvador Lamothe’s official visit to Vietnam December 2012, demonstrated by the Haitian Government’s opening of its embassy in Hanoi in 2013 and the signing of a framework agreement on trade and investment with Vietnam. The Haitian President said he hopes through Dung’s visit, both sides will reach a consensus on measures to expand cooperation in agriculture, energy, infrastructure development and expert exchange. The leaders underscored the need to promote consultation and coordination in regional and international issues at multilateral forums in the current context of the fast changing and complicated global situation. PM Dung took the occasion to extend State President Truong Tan Sang’s invitation to President Michel Martelly to pay an official visit to Vietnam.   PM Nguyen Tan Dung held talks with the Haitian President. Following the meeting with President Michel Martelly, PM Dung held talks with his Haitian counterpart Laurent Salvador Lamothe. PM Lamothe highlighted PM Dung’s visit as providing fresh impetus to deepening the friendship and cooperation between the two nations. The two PMs consented to enhance the exchange of delegation at all levels, work towards the establishment of a joint committee for trade and investment, and expand cooperation in potential areas-- telecommunication, agriculture, food security, construction, and trade. They pledged to encourage and create the best possible conditions for their business communities to improve mutually beneficial cooperation. The two sides will conduct negotiations for a framework cooperation agreement, an agreement on investment encouragement and protection, and a visa exemption agreement for diplomatic and official passport holders. The two PMs also exchanged views on some regional and international issues of common concern and offered each other support at international organizations and multilateral forums for peace, stability and development in the world. After the talks, the two government leaders signed a Joint Statement on the occasion of PM Dung’s visit to Haiti and witnessed the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on energy cooperation. On the evening of the same day, Haitian PM Laurent Salvador Lamothe hosted a banquet in honour of PM Dung and his entourage. VOV