Vietnam and Israel on April 2 announce the conclusion of negotiations for their free trade agreement (FTA). (Photo: VNA) In his remarks, Ambassador Yaron Mayer noted thatthe Vietnam-Israel relations are developing strongly in economy and technology,saying high-level visits and cultural exchanges have consolidated the two countries' friendship and enhanced their mutual understanding, as well as people-to-people dialogue.
He added that the bilateral trade has exceeded 2 billionUSD, and the recent conclusion of negotiations on the Vietnam-Israel Free Trade Agreement (VIFTA) is expected to facilitate their trade andinvestment collaboration.
On behalf of the Vietnamese government and people, DeputyMinister of Foreign Affairs Ha Kim Ngoc extended congratulations to the Israeligovernment and people on the occasion of Independence Day.
He praised the solidarity and efforts of Israelipeople in national construction and development, turning the country into acentre of economy, science-technology, and innovation of the region and theworld at large.
Since Vietnam and Israel established theirdiplomatic ties on July 12, 1993, their multifaceted cooperation has beendeveloping constantly, and the two countries have become leading importantpartners in Southeast Asia and the Middle East, the official continued.
Cooperation achievements in such spheres as economy,science-technology, high-tech agriculture, and people-to-people exchange havecontributed to consolidating and promoting the friendship between the twocountries.
The VIFTA, the first between Vietnam and a MiddleEastern country, is expected to be signed on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic ties, he said, stressing that the dealwill contribute to perfecting the legal framework and creating breakthroughsfor economic, trade and investment cooperation between the two countries in thetime ahead.
The Deputy Minister also spoke highly of Israel’sadmission of Vietnamese agricultural trainees, who have successfully appliedcutting-edge technologies in agricultural projects after returning home,contributing to the development of the Vietnamese farming sector as well as thebilateral friendship.
Ngoc noted his belief that with the wish anddetermination of the two governments and peoples, the multifaceted cooperationwill grow further in all areas in the coming time. /.
VNA
