Vietnam values traditional ties with Serbia: PM

Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam is consistent in the employment of multilateral and multifaceted diplomacy to enhance traditional partnerships with Balkan States, including Serbia, stated Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

The PM made his remark at a reception for Ivica Dacic, Serbian First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, in Hanoi on September 8.

Underscoring the importance of his guest’s visit on the context of Vietnam and Serbia marking the 60th anniversary of relations establishment (1957-2017), Phuc said he believes the visit will help propel bilateral cooperation, particularly in trade to make the economic partnership between the two countries be on a par with their fruitful political ties.

He lauded practical contents discussed at a recent talk between Dacic and Deputy PM and Foreign Minister of Vietnam Pham Binh Minh.

PM Phuc also urged both countries to increase people-people diplomacy and exchange of delegations at different levels, and to boost engagements between their ministries, localities and businesses.

Noting that bilateral trade remains limited at 25 million USD in 2016, he stressed the need to assist Vietnamese and Serbian firms in cooperating and studying each other’s markets.

Vietnam is willing to become a gateway for Serbia to reach Southeast Asian markets, Phuc stated.

For his part, Dacic reported to his guest outcomes of the talks with his Vietnamese counterpart, during which both sides agreed to stimulate trade partnerships.

Considering Vietnam-Serbia relations a longtime and traditional friendship, the diplomat said Serbians, despite geographical distance, want to increase multifaceted affiliations with Vietnamese.

He highlighted the necessity for both countries to support each other and work together at international forums, and to sign more cooperation agreements across sectors.

He proposed the sides improve defence relations and organise more visits of business delegations.-VNA