President greets incoming ambassadors

Hanoi (VNA) – President Tran Dai Quang had separate meetings with newly-accredited ambassadors from India, the Republic of Korea (RoK), Saint Kitts and Nevis, the Federated States of Micronesia, Latvia and Guinea-Bissau, who presented their credentials to the Vietnamese State leader in Hanoi on June 9.

At a meeting with Indian Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, the President noted his hope that the diplomat will exert great efforts to cooperate with the Vietnamese side in order to advance the Vietnam-India relationship in both depth and breadth.

Speaking highly of the official visit to Vietnam by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi slated for next September, he said the trip is significant and meaningful as it will take place in the context that the two countries are gearing towards the 45 th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties and the 10 th anniversary of their strategic partnership in 2017.

The host asked the ambassador to convey his invitation to Indian President Mukherjee to pay an official visit to Vietnam.

Parvathaneni Harish displayed his belief that the Indian PM’s Vietnam visit will contribute to elevating the bilateral relationship to a new height.

At a reception for RoK Ambassador Lee Hyuk, President Tran Dai Quang said the Vietnam-RoK strategic partnership has yielded fruit in such areas as politics, security, national defence, international cooperation, investment, trade and official development assistance (ODA.

The RoK is Vietnam’s biggest investor, second largest ODA supplier and third largest trade partner, he said, adding that the bilateral free trade agreement which came into force on December 20, 2015, and the re-signing of the regular memorandum of understanding on labour cooperation on May 17, 2016 will help strengthen their cooperation, especially in promising areas like economy, trade, investment and employment, he added.

The President used the occasion to ask the ambassador to convey his invitation to RoK President Park Geun-hye to pay an official visit to Vietnam.

Lee Hyuk, in reply, promised to make all-out efforts to contribute to boosting the strategic partnership, stressing that Vietnam is one of the priorities in his country’s ODA policy.

Meeting with Ambassador of Saint Kitts and Nevis Kevin M. Issac, President Tran Dai Quang noted with pleasure the active developments of bilateral ties in recent years, especially the establishment of diplomatic ties in November 1, 2013.

He thanked the Saint Kitts and Nevis Government for its support for Vietnam’s efforts to run for seats in international agencies and organisations, as well as the country’s recognition of Vietnam’s market economy mechanism in April 2015.

Kevin M. Issac said Saint Kitts and Nevis attaches importance to enhancing the partnership with Vietnam and wishes to become the country’s good partner.

He pledged to help Caribbean countries to seek cooperation opportunities in Vietnam during his tenure, and affirmed that Saint Kitts and Nevis backs Vietnam’s bid to become a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2020-2021.

Receiving Ambassador of the Federated States of Micronesia Carlson D. Apis, the State leader suggested the two countries support each other at regional and international forums and organisations, especially the UN.

He called on Micronesia to support Vietnam to run for a non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council for 2020-2021 and a seat in the International Law Commission for 2017-2021, saying Vietnam backs Micronesia and other island countries in the South Pacific to set up partnerships with ASEAN, particularly since the ASEAN Community was formed late last year.

Apis said Micronesia and Vietnam have coordinated well at the UN and multilateral forums on issues regarding the environment and rising sea levels.

Micronesia wants to seek new cooperation opportunities in the Southeast Asian nation, he said.

Welcoming Ambassador of Latvia Maris Selga, President Tran Dai Quang called on the two countries to pay more attention to the exchange of delegations and collaboration in trade and investment as their cooperation outcomes have yet to match their potential and advantages.

He called on Latvia to continue supporting Vietnam to promote its relations with the EU, including the early signing and approval of the Vietanm-EU free trade agreement.

The ambassador was asked to convey President Tran Dai Quang’s invitation to Latvian President Raimonds Vejonis to pay an official visit to Vietnam.

Maris Selga affirmed that Vietnam is his country’s largest trade partner in Asia, and that he will prioritise economic and trade ties between the two countries during his tenure in the Southeast Asian nation.

During his reception for Ambassador of Guinea-Bissau Malam Sambu, the President urged the two countries to step up the exchange of all-level delegations, especially those at a high level, to create an impulse for bilateral ties.

The State leader invited Guinea-Bissau President Jose Mario Vaz to pay an official visit to Vietnam at a suitable time.

The guest said his country is planning to open an honorary Consulate in Vietnam/.