Despite the geographic distance, Vietnam and Greece hold huge potential for expanding bilateral cooperation in economy, trade, investment, culture and social affairs, said the Vietnamese government leader.

While receiving the outgoing Greek Ambassador to Vietnam , Platon Alexis Hadjimichalis, in Hanoi on Jan. 11, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung said the bilateral economic, trade and investment ties have seen certain progress, but failed to match potential and the good political relations between the two nations.

PM Dung hailed Greece ’s strong maritime transport industry and said that the Vietnamese government welcomes Greek shipping companies to invest in Vietnam .

The PM said he will instruct concerned agencies to conclude negotiations soon for the signing of agreements on maritime transport and double taxation avoidance with Greece , thereby creating favourable conditions for the two countries to boost economic and trade ties.

PM Dung spoke highly of Hadjimichalis’s contributions during his term, saying that with his practical activities, the ambassador helped increase mutual understanding and multifaceted cooperation between Vietnam and Greece .

Ambassador Hadjimichalis said Greece wants to promote its economic cooperation with Vietnam , especially in the fields of shipbuilding and maritime transport, which are his nation’s strengths.

The planned signing of bilateral agreements on maritime transport and double taxation avoidance is expected to elevate economic, trade and investment relations to a new level, the diplomat stressed./.