State President Nguyen Minh Triet, his wife and his entourage began an official State visit to Slovakia on Dec. 17.

Following the welcome ceremony held at 10:00hrs (local time) in Bratislava , Slovak President Ivan Gasparovic and his wife gave a private reception to President Triet and his wife.

President Triet and Slovak President Gasparovic witnessed the signing ceremony of bilateral cooperation agreements, including an agreement on investment protection and encouragement and a cooperation deal between Vietnam ’s State Audit Office and the Supreme Audit Office of the Slovak Republic .

Also on the morning of Dec. 17, President Triet held talks with President Gasparovic in which the two leaders informed each other of their respective countries’ situations and exchanged measures to enhance multi-faceted cooperation.

Vietnam pursues its independent and self-reliant policy of diversification and multilateralisation as well as active international integration, said President Triet. He said Vietnam always attaches importance to developing its friendly and multifaceted cooperation with traditional friends, including Slovakia , on the basis of equality and mutual benefits.

Both sides said they were happy at the outstanding developments in the two countries’ relations over recent years and agreed on orientations and measures to further promote bilateral cooperation in different fields.

President Gasparovic expressed his admiration at Vietnam ’s achievements recorded in the renewal and integration process with political stability and fast economic development as well as its rising international position and prestige.

Vietnam has won prestige and trust on the international arena and is a friendly destination for Slovak and other foreign businesses, affirmed the Slovak President.

President Gasparovic said he hoped both countries would increase joint coordination and mutual support in international flora, including the assurance of human rights.

Both sides laid emphasis on and agreed to closely cooperate in organising celebrations of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the Vietnam-Slovakia diplomatic ties in 2010.

President Triet hailed Slovakia ’s re-opening of its embassy in Hanoi and informed his host that Vietnam would open its embassy in Bratislava in 2010.

The Slovak President lauded Vietnam ’s decision, considering it an important landmark that will help promote the comprehensive development of traditional friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

The two sides agreed about new developments of bilateral economic and trade ties and the fast increase in two-way trade. However, they said, these developments still failed to match with the two countries’ potentials and requirements.

Slovakia wants to further expand and increase the traditional multi-faceted cooperation with Vietnam, especially in energy, science, environment, healthcare, transport, education-training, culture, sports and tourism, affirmed President Gasparovic.

President Triet proposed that Slovakia reconsider its stance and support Vietnam in the imposition of anti-dumping tariffs on Vietnam ’s leather-capped shoes./.