During the official trip to Vietnam from October 26-30 by North Korean Premier Kim Yong-il, the two sides reached a consensus on measures to expand cooperative relations, and agreed to strengthen exchange of visits, local newspaper People reported Wednesday.

Kim and Vietnamese leaders agreed to promote the coordination role of the Inter-Governmental Committee on Economic, Scientific and Technological Cooperation, and encourage enterprises to foster exchange and cooperation on economy, trade, science, technology, culture, education, healthcare and sports, including the potential establishment of trading or investment joint ventures, and the facilitation of barter trade.

The two sides also welcomed the signing of a memorandum of understanding on scientific and technical cooperation in agriculture, and a culture exchange programs in the 2008-2010 period between the two countries.

They agreed to further exchange ideas and coordinate at regional and international forums, including the United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement and the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Regional Forum, contributing to keeping peace, stability, cooperation and development in the Asia-Pacific region and the world at large.

The Vietnamese leaders affirmed Vietnam's consistent policy of supporting the North Korean people's aspiration for peace and national reunification. They highly appreciated the results of the second Inter-Korean summit in Pyongyang, as well as recent progress on the Korean Peninsular and results of recent six-party talks, which contributed to the trend of peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

While in Vietnam, Kim held talks with his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Tan Dung, and met with General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nong Duc Manh and State President Nguyen Minh Triet.

He also visited some economic and cultural institutions in Hanoi capital, southern Ho Chi Minh City, northern Quang Ninh province and northern Hai Phong city.

(Xinhua News Agency October 31, 2007)