HANOI, July 26 (Xinhua) -- General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nong Duc Manh and visiting Foreign Minister of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Pak Ui Chun said here Saturday that both Vietnam and the DPRK will strive to strengthen the bilateral friendship and multifaceted cooperation, Vietnam News Agency reported.

    During the meeting between Manh and Pak Ui Chun, the DPRK foreign minister reiterated the consistent policy of the DPRK party and state to attach importance to developing the friendship and all-round cooperation with Vietnam.

    Pak Ui Chun said he was proud of the traditional friendship and cooperation between the two countries, which have been continuously developed and promoted, especially since Manh's visit to the DPRK in October 2007.

    Manh said that the Vietnamese party and state always attach importance to ceaselessly preserving, reinforcing and developing the traditional friendly and cooperative relations with the DPRK for the benefits of the two countries, and peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region as well as the world.

    The Vietnamese party leader welcomed the new progress in the six-party talks, supported the wish for national unification of DPRK people, and congratulated the DPRK's recent signing of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC).

    Also on Saturday, Pak Ui Chun held talks with Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem, discussing measures to foster bilateral ties, as well as international and regional issues of common concern.