(photo: crossed-flag-pins.com)

The Vietnam-Uzbekistan Friendship Association held a get-together on August 24 in Hanoi to mark the Independence Days of Vietnam (September 2) and Uzbekistan (September 1).

Addressing the function, Vice President and General Secretary of the association Nguyen Xuan Hien reiterated Uzbekistan’s support to Vietnam during the country’s past struggles for independence as well as current national construction.

Particularly, Uzbekistan’s universities have helped trained thousands of Vietnamese officials serving the country’s development, he noted.

Both countries are witnessing growing bilateral ties with many cooperation opportunities, he stated, noting that the two sides have agreed on a number of measures to boost trade and set up partnerships among banks, allowing businesses of both sides to strengthen their affiliation.

Meanwhile, Honourary Consul General of Uzbekistan in Vietnam Le Van Nghia said the traditional friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Uzbekistan is developing in all fields, especially politics, economics and culture.

The two countries have supported each other at international and regional forums, as well as in many global issues, he said.

However, Nghia stressed that the economic partnership between the two countries has yet to match their potentials, adding that more efforts should be made to further boost bilateral cooperation in various fields, especially trade and tourism.

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, trade between Vietnam and Uzbekistan reached 20.2 million USD in 2012.

Source: VNA