Greece seeks cooperation with Hanoi hinh anh 1Chairman of Hanoi People's Committee Nguyen Duc Chung and Greece’s Ambassador to Vietnam Nicolas Kanellos. (Source: hanoimoi)

Hanoi (VNA) – Greece’s Ambassador to Vietnam Nicolas Kanellos said in his meeting with the Chairman of Hanoi People’s Committee Nguyen Duc Chung on March 13 that the time is ripe for Hanoi and Athens to boost economic, cultural and tourism cooperation.

Kanellos said with the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement signed, Greece’s wish is to become the first partner and the gateway for Vietnam to enter the EU market.

Greece has a population of just 11 million but welcomes nearly 30 million tourists each year, the ambassador said. He hoped that Hanoi would hold economic forums between Vietnamese and Greek enterprises.

He also expressed willingness to form an art association to boost cultural exchanges between the two countries.

Chairman Chung agreed with the Greek Ambassador’s recommendation to boost cooperation.

Hanoi is stepping up efforts to make tourism a major economic sector and is willing to learn from Greece’s experience in attracting tourists, Chung said.-VNA