Greek President Karolos Papoulias expresses his wish to further strengthen the ties of friendship and multifaceted cooperation with Vietnam and hope that both countries will mutually support each other in serving as a gateway to the Balkans of southern Europe and Vietnam of southeast Asia.
A red-carpet welcoming ceremony was held for Greek President Karolos Papoulias at the Presidential Palace, Hanoi on October 13.
After the ceremony, talks were held between State President Nguyen Minh Triet and President Papoulias.
Host and guest agreed to further promote long-term bilateral cooperation in economics, trade and investment for their mutual benefit.
All agreements and contracts signed by the two countries should be implemented effectively including cooperation agreements on tourism, trade and investment promotion and cultural exchange aimed at promoting mutual understanding between people and the businesses communities from both countries, the two State leaders stressed.
They discussed specific potential areas for cooperation and mutual support such as maritime transport, tourism and museum curation.
Mr Triet asked Greece to assist Vietnam in promoting its economic and trade ties with the European Union, support Vietnam’s nomination for the 35th session of UNESCO Executive Council and cooperate with it within the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM).
Vietnam will consider opening its embassy in Athens in the near future, Mr Triet said.
For his part, the Greek President praised the tremendous progress in socio-economic development and international economic integration Vietnam has made over recent years while congratulating Vietnam on its successful performance as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.
Greece attaches great importance to Vietnam’s role and position in the region and in the world and is ready to cooperate with the country within the UN Security Council as well at international and regional forums, said Mr Papoulias.
Both countries can set up cooperative joint venture in the Balkans and Southern Europe into which Greece pours most of its investments, said Mr Papoulias. He also welcomed the early opening of the Vietnamese Embassy in Athens and voiced his support for Vietnam’s trade relations with the EU.
After the talks, both State leaders witnessed the signing of an agreement on investment encouragement and promotion, a cooperation agreement between the two foreign ministries and a memorandum of understanding on bilateral cooperation in energy between the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Greek Ministry of Development.
Speaking to the media, Mr Triet said that both countries have maintained a time-honoured friendship in the past struggle for independence and freedom and this tradition should be brought into full play for national construction and development. Vietnam and Greece can promote bilateral cooperation in many areas such as shipping industry, tourism, agriculture and museum curation on an equal basis and for their mutual benefit.
Mr Papoulias believed that his visit will help to further strengthen bilateral relations and all that cooperation agreements and contracts signed between both sides will contribute to developing Vietnam-Greece relations in the future.
The same day, Mr Papoulias met with National Assembly Chairman, Nguyen Phu Trong, and Party General Secretary, Nong Duc Manh.
Later in the day, State President Nguyen Minh Triet hosted a banquet in honour of President Papoulias and his wife at the Government Guest House.
Source: VOV