The fine traditional relations between Vietnam-Belarus , Vietnam - Switzerland and Vietnam-Finland are firm foundations to boost the cooperation between Vietnam and these countries, said a senior Vietnamese diplomat.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Quoc Cuong, who accompanied State President Nguyen Minh Triet on a working visit to these countries, delivered the remark when he came back to Hanoi on May 23.

Vietnam and the three countries are able to support each other, said Cuong, referring to Belarus’ great potentials in industry, agriculture, science and education, Switzerland’s and Finland’s strength in banking, finance, tourist services and industrial production and Vietnam’s large market and young and abundant labour force.

Apart from economic, trade and investment cooperation, Cuong said that Vietnam and these countries should carry out cooperative projects in education and training, culture, arts and sports in order to further tighten the friendship and link-ups between Vietnamese people and people of the three European countries.

Belarus , Switzerland and Finland are Vietnam ’s important partners in Europe . These countries stood by and helped Vietnam in the country’s past struggle for national independence and reunification and the current process of national construction.

President Triet’s first visit to the countries aimed to strengthen the comprehensive cooperative ties with these countries, especially in economics, trade and investment.

At talks with Triet, leaders of states, governments and parliaments of the three countries valued the traditional and friendly ties with Vietnam , spoke highly of significant achievements Vietnam has made in its renovation process and affirmed their aspiration and determination to develop the cooperative ties and trust partnership with Vietnam .

The Vietnamese leader and the three countries’ leaders agreed on directions and measures to boost the friendship and multi-faceted cooperation between Vietnam and those countries.

Belarus , Switzerland and Finland ’s leaders also spoke highly of the role Vietnam plays in the region and the world, and said they are ready to serve as bridges linking Vietnam with Europe .
For his part, Triet affirmed that Vietnam is also willing to help the three countries promote relations with the Southeast Asia./.