Question: Viet Nam and Mexico have overcome the distance between the two shores of the Pacific to build a close relationship over the past 30 years. What is your assessment of this process?

Answer: Over the past 30 years, Mexico and Viet Nam have been able to not only establish open, trusting and cooperative relations at a governmental level but also form a close bond between the two peoples.

Thirty years ago, Viet Nam started a difficult process to rebuild the country, and now your nation has achieved a high ecnomic growth rate as well as constant improvements in society. On our part, Mexico has also experienced important changes. We are now living in a world that demands strong cooperation between nations to cope with the trend of globalisation and the application of the free market mechanism, in order to create more development opportunities for equality and improvement of people's lives.

The trusting and friendly relations between the two countries are the results of our aspirations for closer and mutually-benefiting cooperation. The two countries have conducted both bilateral and open dialogues between high-level officials. The friendship visit to Mexico by Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Van Dong in 1979 paved the way for a series of visits by Vietnamese leaders, including Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, Foreign Minister Nguyen Dy Nien, National Assembly Vice Chairman Nguyen Phuc Thanh and Public Health Minister Tran Thi Trung Chien, as well as visits by Mexican State and Government leaders to Viet Nam. These visits have enabled the two countries to evaluate their ties and recognise new opportunities in all fields, leading to the conclusion of many agreements and treaties on boosting bilateral cooperation. The legislative bodies of both countries have also shared many precious experiences, contributing to efforts to bolster ties.

The Foreign Ministries of Mexico and Viet Nam have conducted many activities to fully tap into the great potential of our bilateral relations. They have established a consultation mechanism, and the first meeting under this mechanism was held in October 2004 on the occasion of Deputy Foreign Minister Le Van Bang's Mexico visit. In this meeting, the two sides reviewed key issues in their bilateral and multi-lateral working agenda. They also committed to holding more political dialogues to seek new cooperative opportunities. I myself hope to have a chance to visit Viet Nam to study these issues more thoroughly, and discuss several themes of mutual concern. I believe that the Mexico-Viet Nam relations have a promising and steady future, and the two governments will boost cooperation in the interests of both nations.

Q: Two-way trade value between Viet Nam and Mexico increased sharply in the past year, reaching 187 million USD. However, the figure did not match the great potential of both sides. Do you think trade ties will grow when the bilateral political relationship is enhanced towards comprehensive cooperation?

A: I am sure they will. I agree with the view that opportunities for trade exchange will increase when the two countries maintain their high growth rates, continue their open-door policies in economics and take a positive approach towards the world's commercial and investment trends. The Asia-Pacific region is a priority in Mexico's policy to diversify its economic and commercial relations, especially in investment. The region has become an engine of the world economy with an average growth rate of 7.2 percent since 1990. It contributes 60 percent of the global output and more than half of the world trade exchange. I believe that Mexico and Viet Nam can expand their trade ties. To that end, the two sides should create favourable conditions for their businesses to exchange visits and research each other's markets. Support from trade promotion agencies and embassies will help them quickly enter each other's market.

The Mexican Ministry of the Economy and the Vietnamese Ministry of Trade are negotiating an agreement on accelerating trade exchange and joint investment. I hope this will be realised in the near future, thus creating favourable conditions for the two sides to enhance bilateral trade and develop their economies, especially in agriculture and fisheries, through close cooperation between ministries.

Q: While meeting with Truong Tan Sang, Politburo member and Director of the Economic Commission of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee, during his visit to Mexico in mid April, Economic Minister Fernando Canales affirmed that Mexico fully supports Viet Nam's bid to join the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and that Mexico, as host of the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation forum in 2002, is willing to co-operate with Viet Nam in ensuring the success for the APEC Summit which will take place in Ha Noi next year. Could you give further details on Mexico's policies on these issues?

A: The Mexican Government holds that a multilateral trade system under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade and the WTO has been the main instrument for trade liberalisation in the world over the past 50 years. The WTO enables the establishment of transparent and clear trade exchange rules and processes. Therefore, Mexico supports Viet Nam's efforts to join the world's biggest trade body and is willing to co-ordinate with the WTO's Regulation Group so that Viet Nam can become a member of this organisation as soon as possible.

As for APEC, I had a chance to discuss thoroughly with Deputy Foreign Minister Le Van Bang and I affirmed that Viet Nam is actively participating in APEC. Based on the success of the fifth Asia-Europe Meeting in Ha Noi in October 2004, I believe that the success of the APEC Summit 2006 will be ensured. However, Mexico is willing to help and share with Viet Nam its experiences in organising inter-continental conferences and to contribute to the success of the upcoming summit in Ha Noi.

Q: The Vietnamese people recently celebrated the 30th anniversary of the liberation of Southern Viet Nam and national reunification, which ended a magnanimous struggle which was encouraged and supported by countries around the world, including Mexico. Do you have any message for the Vietnamese people on this occasion?

A: Mexico admires the Vietnamese people and army's fighting spirit and determination to reunify the country. This spirit continues to be brought into full play during Viet Nam's national construction process and the result has been its persuasive socio-economic achievements. In order to support this worthy cause, Mexico established full diplomatic ties with Viet Nam after the country was reunified and was not hesitant in expressing its support for Viet Nam's admission to the United Nations.

On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of these important events, I would like to send my best regards to a nation which has always overcome the challenges of all eras. I wish the Vietnamese people success on the path to peace and prosperity.