Deputy PM, FM Pham Binh Minh met with Greek Deputy PM and Minister of Economy and Development Giannis Dragasakis and held talks with Greek FM Nikos Kotzias on July 2 during his official visit to Greece from July 1-2.
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Deputy PM, FM Pham Binh Minh meets with Greek Deputy PM and Minister of Economy and Development Giannis Dragasakis, Greece, July 2, 2018 |
Atthe meeting withGreek Deputy PM and Minister of Economy and DevelopmentGiannisDragasakis, the two leaderssaid that the bilateral trade increased from US$196 millionin 2015 toUS$335 millionin 2017.
They suggested enhancingcollaborative efforts in such areas as maritime transportation and logistics, shipbuilding, seaport exploitation, tourism, and agricultural product processingto match the potential and aspirations of both countries.
The Vietnamese leader expected thatthe Greek Government and enterprises to increase business and investment activities with VietNam, and the chambers of commerce of the two countries toorganizemore events, such as business forums.
Viet Nam is willing towork as a bridge helping Greek enterprises enter the Southeast Asia and Asia-Pacific markets, he stressed.
Mr.GiannisDragasakisspoke of the potentials of Viet Nam, adding thatas a gateway to Europe, Greece wants to strengthen collaboration with VietNam, andadvocatesthe early signing of the EU-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement.
Greecewillshare its experience with VietNam in tourism, seaport management and exploitation, and maritime transportation, he said.
The two sides consentedto create a legal framework to promote bilateral economic and trade ties, including negotiations for the signing of an agreement on double taxation avoidance, and another agreement on maritime transportation.
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Deputy PM, FM Pham Binh Minh holds talks with Greek FM Nikos Kotzias, Greece, July 2, 2018 - Photo: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Viet Nam |
At thetalks with Greek FM NikosKotzias,both leaders expressed delights onthe fruitful bilateral friendship and cooperation across several fields over the past 40 years since the two countries set up diplomatic ties.
In the upcoming time, they agreed to increase meetings and delegation exchanges at high-ranking and ministeriallevels to improve mutual understanding, andproposespecific measures topromotethe bilateral ties effectively and comprehensively.
Thediplomats consentedto continue to effectivelyrealizethe memorandum of understanding on tourism cooperation between VietNam and Greece, whileenhancingpartnerships in education and training, archaeology, and culture.
They were unanimousto increase exchanges between the two foreign ministries and exchange officialsspecializingin international relations and maritime laws, while enhancing coordination at regional and international forums such as the UN, ASEM and EU-ASEAN.
The leaders discussed issues of international and regional concerns, stressing the importance of peace, stability, security and freedom of navigation and aviation as well as the settlement of disputes through peaceful measures, based on respecting the international laws and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982.
The occasion, Mr.Minh urged the Greek Government to create conditions for the Vietnamese community in the country to have a stable legal status and integrate into the host society, thus contributing to local socio-economic development as well as the greater friendship between the two countries.
Afterthe talks, the officialsinkeda bilateral agreement on visa exemption for diplomatic passport holders./.