President Truong Tan Sang received visiting Slovakian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Miroslav Lajcak in Hanoi on November 4.

At the reception, the President expressed his belief in the development of cooperation between the two countries in the future.

He said once the Europe-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) is signed, it will open up more opportunities for both sides in a way that helps Slovakia make inroads into the ASEAN market and Vietnam will gain better access to the EU market through their relationship. 

For his part, the Slovakian Deputy PM stressed that his country always attaches importance to and will continue to promote its traditional relationship with Vietnam. 

Praising the important contributions of the Vietnamese community in Slovakia , he suggested the two countries further increase high-level relations, people-to-people exchanges and cooperation in performing art training. 

During the visit, many Slovakian businesses wish to seek collaboration opportunities on nuclear energy, agriculture and water resource management, he said, adding that his country’s investment in Vietnam now totals 235 million USD. 

Miroslav Lajcak stressed that Slovakia is ready to share experience in economic transfer with Vietnam , hoping the two countries will set up their strategic partnership in the near future.

Slovakia supports negotiations for the EVFTA as it will benefits both countries as well as other EU members, he noted.-VNA