State President Truong Tan Sang received Franz Jessen, Ambassador, Head of the European Union (EU) delegation, and Angolan Ambassador to Vietnam Joao Manuel Bernado, in Hanoi on Nov. 22.

Welcoming Ambassador Franz Jessen, President Sang said he is pleased with positive developments in Vietnam-EU relations in past years, especially in economic trade.

He highly valued the Vietnam-EU negotiation and initialling of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA), affirming that these documents will pave the way for commercial exchanges and strengthen comprehensive cooperation between the two sides in future.

The Vietnamese leader affirmed that Vietnam always wants to deepen its relations with the EU.

Ambassador Franz Jessen stressed that fostering the EU-Vietnam economic cooperation will be a focus during his term of office in Vietnam .

He said he is pleased to see that Vietnam still enjoys export growth to the EU although several EU member countries are facing difficulties.

The EU-Vietnam trade should continue to be stepped up to reach a level that matches the two sides’ potential, he added.

At the reception for the newly accredited Angolan Ambassador, who presented credentials to him, President Sang applauded the Angolan Government’s decision to open an embassy in Hanoi .

He affirmed that Vietnam will create the best conditions for the ambassador to fulfil his tasks in the country and suggested ways to boost
cooperative programmes between the two countries in all fields.

Ambassador Joao Manuel Bernado said he always admires and has good impressions of the Vietnamese people.

He spoke highly of Vietnam ’s successes in stabilising the macro-economy, expressing a wish that Vietnam will assist Angola in various fields, especially education and social security.

He said he hopes that Vietnam will join Angola in its social housing programme to build 1 million houses.

The ambassador also revealed that the Angolan Vice President will visit Vietnam in the first quarter of 2012, to strengthen ties between the two countries./.