Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh says the visit of Greek President Karolos Papoulias is an important event that will create a new momentum for taking the two countries’ bilateral relations to new heights.

Manh said the Vietnamese people have a fondness for Greece, a country occupying an important position in Europe and one of the cradles of human civilization.

Papoulias said that Greece would liketo strengthen its friendship and cooperation with Vietnam and tap further the two countries’ potential to develop existing ties.

On the same day, President Nguyen Minh Triet and Papoulias witnessed the signing of an agreement on energy cooperation between the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Greek Ministry for Development, and a memorandum of understanding between the Foreign Affairs ministries of both nations.

The two leaders agreed that as trade and investment ties between the two countries remained modest, they should do more to develop bilateral economic ties in the future.

The Vietnamese president proposed that Greece support Vietnam’s bid to increase trade relations with the European Union (EU) and stand as a candidate for UNESCO’s 35th Executive Council, as well as cooperate with Vietnam within the framework of the Asia-Europe Meeting.

He also informed Papoulias of Vietnam’s wish to open an embassy in the Greek capital of Athens.

Papoulias said Greece is willing to become a gateway for Vietnam’s products to enter Europe, the Middle East, the Mediterranean and the Black Sea areas.

Source: VNA