State leader welcomes Cuba, EU ambassadors

Hanoi (VNA) – President Tran Dai Quang hosted receptions in Hanoi on June 1 for Cuban Ambassador Herminio Lopez Diaz, and Ambassador and Head of the EU Delegation to Vietnam Bruno Angelet.

At the meeting with the Cuban diplomat, the President affirmed Vietnam’s determination to, together with Cuba, carry out signed agreements and commitments to turn potential into special programmes and projects.

He suggested the two countries exchange experience gained during the reform process, thus helping develop the Vietnam-Cuba special relations in a deeper and more effective manner.

Speaking of the contributions of the ambassador in his role as a bridge linking the two nations, the State leader said he believes that the diplomat maintains close coordination with Vietnamese offices to make the bilateral ties grow further.

He also showed his backing for the diplomat’s proposal of establishing a Latin American culture centre in Vietnam.

The Cuban ambassador asserted the embassy staff’s determination to try their best to tighten friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

Meanwhile, when receiving the EU ambassador, President Tran Dai Quang welcomed EU member states’ ratification of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) and asked the EU to quickly finish procedures to make the agreement become effective.

He appreciated the EU’s consideration of Vietnam as a priority partner in its 2014-2020 development cooperation policy.

Thanking the EU for its 90,000 EUR aid for several localities hit by drought and saltwater intrusion, the State leader requested the EU to continue its support in helping Vietnam implement its sustainable development goals and intensify its capacity in climate change adaptation.

Vietnam appreciates the EU’s international role as well as its contributions to maintaining peace and stability, fostering cooperation and development in Asia-Pacific and Southeast Asia, and ensuring aviation and maritime security, safety and freedom on the basis of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Ambassador Angelet stated that the EU Delegation to Vietnam wants to contribute more to the development of EU-Vietnam relations. The delegation is preparing several projects and plans to intensify cooperation with Vietnam.

The EU plans to focus on several fields like energy, audit and finance with the Ministry of Industry and Trade; law enforcement and judicial assistance with the Ministries of Justice and Public Security; and cooperation to ensure aviation and maritime security, safety and freedom on the basis of the UNCLOS.

It also wants to support the Mekong River Commission in water resources management and climate change response, he added.-VNA