The Vietnamese Embassy in Italy and Malta on August 28 held a ceremony in Valletta to mark the 40 th anniversary of the Vietnam-Malta diplomatic ties (January 14, 1974-2014)

Addressing the event, Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen Hoang Long noted that Malta was one of the first Western European countries recognising and seting up diplomatic ties with Vietnam while the country was still struggling for national independence and unification.

Malta President Marie Luoise Coleiro Preca expressed delight at the growing bilateral ties, saying that the enhanced friendship and mutual understanding between the two peoples will be a foundation for boosting bilateral comprehensive cooperation in the future, especially in economics, trade, investment, education and tourism.

The ceremony was followed by an art performance featuring Vietnamese traditional music, dance, and a fashion show staged by models of both Vietnam and Malta .

Earlier the same day, the President of Malta hosted a reception for the Vietnamese delegation in her private house.

Over the past four decades, Vietnam and Malta have worked closely to enhance bilateral relations. In early May this year, the two countries held a joint economic cooperation conference for the first time to review their partnership potential and build an action plan to boost economy, trade, investment and tourism in the time to come.

Becoming a EU member since 2014, Malta boasts a strategic location in the maritime route linking Asia, the Middle East, North Africa and Europe, making it a gateway to Europe and Northern Africa.-VNA