Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh (R) receives Greek Ambassador Ioannis E. Raptakis on May 16 (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh applauded the development of Vietnam-Greece ties while receiving Greek Ambassador to Vietnam Ioannis E. Raptakis in Hanoi on May 16.
Congratulating the diplomat on taking office in Vietnam, Minh asked Raptakis to actively work to promote Vietnam’s relations with Greece and the European Union (EU).
He affirmed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other ministries and sectors of Vietnam will create optimal conditions for the ambassador to fulfill his tasks.
The Deputy PM noted that the two countries have been coordinating closely and supporting each other at multilateral forums and international organisations. Bilateral trade has continually grown by over 20 percent in the last five years, he added.
At the meeting, Minh also talked about some measures to bolster the countries’ cooperation in the time ahead. He emphasised the importance of increasing high-ranking mutual visits, maintaining bilateral consultation mechanisms, working together to devise measures to boost bilateral trade, and promoting people-to-people and cultural exchanges.
For his part, Raptakis expressed his honour to work in Vietnam, adding that his country always attaches importance to reinforcing ties with the Southeast Asian nation.
The ambassador pledged to make great efforts to intensify the cooperation and friendship between Vietnam and Greece as well as connections between Vietnam and the EU.
He also affirmed that Greece will strongly promote the implementation of the EU-Vietnam Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation (PCA) and the ratification of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) so as to open up new prospects for bilateral trade and investment in the time to come.-VNA
VNA
