Hanoi (VNA) - A ceremony has been held in Athens to mark the 50th founding anniversary of Vietnam - Greece diplomatic relations and the 80th National Day of Vietnam (September 2).
The event saw the attendance of First Deputy Speaker of the Greek Parliament Ioannis Plakiotakis, Deputy Minister of Development Stavros Kalafatis, representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Parliament, the Communist Party, local authorities of Greece, ambassadors and chargés d’affaires of foreign missions in Athens, along with a large number of Vietnamese expatriates in the European country.
Speaking at the ceremony, Vietnamese Ambassador to Greece Pham Thi Thu Huong highlighted the historic significance of the August Revolution and National Day, as well as Vietnam’s achievements over the past 80 years. From a war-ravaged nation, Vietnam has risen to become a symbol of peace, stability, and hospitality, welcoming over 17 million international visitors annually. From a backward economy, the country has entered the world’s top 32 economies by GDP scale and ranks among the 20 leading nations in terms of trade and foreign investment attraction. In the first half of this year, Vietnam’s GDP growth reached 7.52%, the highest in 15 years.
With its strategic location in the dynamic Southeast Asian region and a population of over 100 million, Vietnam has become an attractive destination for global investors. Once blockaded and isolated, Vietnam now maintains diplomatic relations with 194 nations, has established strategic and comprehensive partnerships with 38 countries, and is an active member of more than 70 international organisations. In this process, Vietnam has always valued the support of international friends, including Greek people.
Since the establishment of diplomatic ties on April 15, 1975, the traditional friendship between Vietnam and Greece has been steadily strengthened across many fields. Both sides have maintained regular high-level exchanges and supported each other at regional and international forums, the ambassador noted.
Vietnam highly evaluates Greece’s role in the European Union and the Mediterranean. With shared aspirations for peace, stability, and sustainable development, along with complementary strengths and a common vision, the two countries are expected to further expand cooperation, particularly in trade, shipping, tourism, education, and cultural exchange, she said.
In his remarks, Plakiotakis congratulated Vietnam on its 80th National Day and the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties, while praising the country’s socio-economic achievements that have improved people’s lives. He recalled the symbolic figure of Kostas Sarantidis whose Vietnamese name is Nguyen Van Lap – a Greek national who fought alongside the Vietnamese people, received many orders, and was honoured as a Hero of the Vietnam People’s Armed Forces. He said Sarantidis epitomises the deep bonds and admiration that the Greek people have for Vietnam.
Plakiotakis affirmed that with shared values of peace, respect for the UN Charter, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and pride in their historical and cultural traditions, Vietnam–Greece relations will continue to flourish. He expressed his confidence that the upcoming official visit to Greece by Vietnamese National Assembly Vice Chairman Nguyen Duc Hai will further strengthen inter-parliamentary cooperation and the bilateral ties.
In a warm and friendly atmosphere, attendees contemplated a photo exhibition on Vietnam and its people, documentary screenings, traditional music and dance performances, and enjoyed Vietnamese dishes./.
