Vietnam's prime minister Nguyen Tan Dung and Gil da Costa Alves, the trade, industry and tourism minister of Timor-Leste, have paved the way for greater cooperation in oil and gas exploration and production at a meeting in Hanoi this week.

The two statesmen also laid the groundwork for increased training and development initiatives for the mutual benefit of workers in both countries.

A number of trade deals were also struck, while the pair set out a timetable for the development of oil and gas exploration and opportunities, with Vietnamese trade minister Vu Huy Hoang confirming after the meeting that a delegation would be sent to Timor-Leste to draw up plans for cooperation in December.

Prime minister Dung also congratulated his peer on the strong economic gains made in Timor-Leste in recent years and offered his support as the country seeks admittance to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

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