HANOI, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam attaches importance to multifaceted cooperation and enhancing relationship with Peru, especially in economy, trade and investment, said Vietnamese President Nguyen Minh Triet here on Monday at a meeting with a visiting Peruvian diplomat, the Vietnam News reported on Tuesday.

    Nguyen told Peru's Ambassador to Thailand cum Vietnam Carlos Velasco Mendiola that he thought highly of Peru's efforts in organizing APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) 2008. He also expressed support for topics and contents to be discussed at APEC 2008 Economic Leaders' Meeting.

    In his opinion, Vietnam and Peru can intensify cooperation and exchanges at all levels and increase their roles in APEC in particular and in the international arena in general, as they are both developing countries and possess long-lasting cultures and histories.

    He also affirmed that Vietnam, host of the APEC 2006, is willing to share experience with Peru in organizing the APEC 2008,saying he believed that Peru will successfully host the event.

    The Peruvian ambassador took this occasion to convey Peruvian President Perez's invitation to Vietnamese President Nguyen Minh Triet to attend the APEC 2008 in Lima, Peru in November.

    He also said he hoped science and technology cooperation between the two countries will further develop.

    A join oil exploration and production contract between PetroVietnam Exploration and Production (PVEP) and PeruPetro SA signed recently opened a new prospect for economic cooperation between Vietnam and Peru, he said.

    The ambassador also said that Peru's President backed the establishment of respective countries' embassies in Hanoi and Lima.