Vietnam wants to strengthen and expand relations with the Republic of Korea (RoK), Moldova and Burundi , State President Nguyen Minh Triet has said.

At separate receptions for the newly-accredited ambassadors of the RoK, Moldova and Burundi , following the presentation of their credentials in Hanoi on June 1, President Triet and the diplomats discussed potentials and measures to step up the friendship and multi-faceted cooperation between Vietnam and the three countries.

Talking with the RoK Ambassador Ha Chan-ho, the President expects that the RoK would continue to retain its leading role in terms of investment in Vietnam .

He stressed that around 100,000 RoK people are now living and working in Vietnam , while an equal number of Vietnamese are working and living in the RoK, including 35,000 Vietnamese brides.

Therefore, the State leader noted, the two countries’ governments need to create favourable conditions for their citizens to integrate and stabilise their lives in the respective resident countries.

For his part, the RoK diplomat said the two nations will celebrate the 20 th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2012, which will mark a milestone in the bilateral fruitful cooperation.

Ha Chan-ho pledged to make all-out efforts to enhance the comprehensive development of the RoK-Vietnam strategic cooperative partnership.

The ambassador extended his condolences over the death of a Vietnamese bride who was killed by her RoK husband, adding the RoK government has implemented policies to help Vietnamese brides integrate into the life in the RoK and take measures to prevent similar cases in the future.

At the meeting with Moldovan Ambassador Anatolie Urecheanu, President Triet said the Vietnam-Moldova friendship has laid a favourable foundation for the two nations to beef up cooperative ties in politics, diplomacy, economics, trade, investment, culture and education, and boost mutual cooperation and support at international forums.

Vietnamese alumni who had previously studied in Moldova will work as a bridge to develop bilateral relations in a more practical and effective manner, he said.

In reply, the newly-appointed said bilateral economic ties have failed to catch up with potentials of both sides, hence Moldova wishes to step up cooperation with Vietnam in this area.

While receiving Burundian Ambassador Gasunzu Pascal, the State leader said Vietnam desires to promote comprehensive cooperation with African countries, including Burundi .

Vietnam is willing to exchange experience and assist Burundi in the fields of agriculture, health care and education, he said.

The Burundian ambassador spoke highly of Vietnam’s achievements in hunger eradication, poverty reduction and agricultural development, expressing his wish that Vietnam would share experience as Burundi is a agriculture-based country and is facing various difficulties./.