Vietnam and Spain should beef up their cooperation, especially in the fields of economy, trade, investment, culture, education and tourism, Vietnamese President Tran Duc Luong said Monday.

The two countries have great cooperation potential, and they should expand their ties on the basis of long term and mutual benefits, Luong said while meeting with visiting Spanish King Juan Carlos.

On his part, Juan Carlos, who started his two-day trip to Vietnam on Monday, affirmed that Spain will continue to consider Vietnam a prioritized partner in developing relations in Asia, support it in its running for non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council for the 2008-2009 term.

During the meeting, the two sides also agreed to further exchange high-level visits, establish a regular consultancy mechanism between the two foreign ministries. Spain agreed to offer technological and financial assistance to help Vietnam implement industrialization, and support it in teaching Spanish language.

The king and the president witnessed the signing of four cooperative deals, including a cooperation agreement on investment promotion and protection. Other deals involve the two countries' sports, culture and news agencies.

Spain, which set up diplomatic relations with Vietnam in 1977, has developed cooperative bonds with Vietnam in different spheres, especially education, culture, development assistance, and trade.

Source: Xinhua