February 13, 2019 | 07:32 pm PT

Vietnam promises to share development experience with North Korea

Vietnam promises to share development experience with North Korea
Vietnam's Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh (R) shakes hands with Ri Su Yong, Vice Chairman of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, in Pyongyang on February 13, 2019. Photo by Vietnam's Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Vietnam is willing to share with North Korea its experience in national development and international integration, its foreign minister has said.

Pham Binh Minh, who is also deputy prime minister, said during his three-day visit to the North Korean capital Pyongyang from February 12 that Vietnam’s consistent stance is to support dialogue to maintain peace, security and stability on the peninsula and actively contribute to this process.

He met with Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho and Vice Chairman of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, Ri Su Yong, Vietnam's Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Minister Ri thanked Vietnam for its stance and efforts to boost dialogue for peace in the Korean peninsula.

His country wants to strengthen bilateral relations in accordance with the new situation, especially by 2020 when the two mark 70 years of establishment of diplomatic relations, he said.

Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and the Vietnamese delegates (L) meet with North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho and other officials in Pyongyang on February 13, 2019. Photo by Vietnams Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and the Vietnamese delegates (L) meet with North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho and other officials in Pyongyang on February 13, 2019. Photo by Vietnam's Ministry of Foreign Affairs

He had visited Hanoi in November and held talks with Minh.

Minh’s visit to North Korea comes ahead of this month’s planned summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Hanoi.

Trump had announced the talks and its venue last week.

Vietnam welcomed it, and expressed its readiness to host the meeting on February 27 and 28. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has ordered "thorough" preparation for the event earlier this week.

Vietnam's economic reforms are thought to be a suitable model for North Korea given the countries' shared historical and political background.