President Truong Tan Sang hosted receptions in Hanoi on September 10 for the newly-appointed ambassadors of the UK, the Netherlands and Norway , who came to present their credentials.

Welcoming UK Ambassador Giles Lever, President Sang affirmed that Vietnam continuously valued its ties with the UK .

He expressed his delight at the development of a sound strategic partnership in all areas, adding that the two countries could however still increase cooperation on trade, investment, culture and education.

The State leader said he hoped the UK would help accelerate the signing of a free trade agreement (FTA) between Vietnam and the European Union, and boost effective investment in Vietnam .

For his part, Lever said that with his diplomatic experience he would contribute to enhancing the two countries’ successful strategic partnership.

In his meeting with Dutch Ambassador Catharina Trooster, President Sang suggested the two sides intensify cooperation on agriculture, culture, people-to-people exchanges, maritime trade and climate change response.

He expressed his belief that the diplomat would help implement agreements signed during the Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s visit to Vietnam in June.

Vietnam was willing to facilitate investment in Vietnam for Dutch businesses, with a hope that the country would become an important investment partner, Sang added.

Trooster stated that Vietnam and the Netherlands recently signed a strategic partnership in the fields of agriculture, food security and maritime trade, which would act as a foundation for the development of a strong bilateral cooperation in the future.

When receiving Norwegian Ambassador Gjerme Eriksen, President Sang thanked Norway for providing official development assistance (ODA) to Vietnam.

He spoke highly of the bilateral cooperation on trade and the economy, and expressed his wish that Norway would support negotiations to devise a FTA between Vietnam and Northern Europe .

For her part, the ambassador suggested the two countries bolster collaboration on trade, agriculture, the environment and the economy.

With its expertise in renewable energy and climate change adaptation, Norway was willing to support Vietnam in these fields, she said.-VNA