Hanoi, August 31 (PL-RHC)-- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro began an official visit to Vietnam focused on strengthening economic relations between the two countries. The president will meet Vietnamese government and political authorities, as well as business executives of the Southeast Asian nation. After paying tribute to the martyrs of the homeland and the late President Ho Chi Minh, Maduro attended the welcoming ceremony followed by official talks. Invited by his counterpart Truong Tan Sang, Maduro will meet with Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung; General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong; and directors of the National Assembly. Shortly before traveling to Hanoi for his first visit to Vietnam since he took office in April 2013, the Venezuelan president said agreements will be signed to strengthen the national economy. He added that another important goal is to build financial security to halt the falling oil prices and stimulate recovery. Established in December 1989, bilateral relations include more than 60 agreements in the sectors of energy, oil, housing construction and agriculture. Vietnam disbursed up to April $1.8 billion for projects in Venezuela, one of the main destinations for its investments in Latin America. After concluding his visit to Vietnam, Maduro will travel to Beijing, where he will attend activities for the 70th anniversary of the victory of the War of Chinese People's Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the end of World War II.
