(LEAD) Lee calls for green partnership between S. Korea, Vietnam

(ATTN: UPDATES with additional remarks from Lee, minor edits throughout)
By Byun Duk-kun
HANOI, Oct. 21 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Lee Myung-bak proposed on
Wednesday a "green partnership" with Vietnam for joint efforts against global
warming and an economic alliance that would bolster the two countries' bilateral
ties.

Speaking at a luncheon with some 250 business leaders from the two sides, Lee
emphasized the green partnership will provide "unlimited" new opportunities for
both while improving their competitiveness in the international market by
combining their strengths.
"Exchanges between the two countries and South Korea's business investment in
Vietnam is not one-sided assistance. I believe that they will also greatly help
South Korea's development," Lee said at the meeting.
The South Korean president arrived here Tuesday for a summit with his Vietnamese
counterpart, Nguyen Minh Triet, at which the two leaders agreed to upgrade the
relationship between their countries to a "strategic partnership."
Lee said the business sectors of the two countries must work to keep pace with
the development of their diplomatic ties.
"I promise that once I return home, I will make efforts to create opportunities
for both of our countries while working closely with Vietnam," he said.
Lee also called for increased cooperation and exchanges between the countries'
citizens.
"I do believe our economic relations will continue to grow when we build our
mutual trust through exchanges of our peoples," the president said.
bdk@yna.co.kr
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