As 2010 ASEAN Chair, Vietnam is ready to act as a bridge to Finland’s cooperation with Southeast Asia, said President Nguyen Minh Triet.

At 4 pm (Hanoi time) on May 22, State President Nguyen Minh Triet left Helsinki for Hanoi, successfully concluding his State visit to Finland. Prior to his departure, Mr Triet met with Finnish Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen.

At the meeting, President Triet expressed his delight at visiting Finland and thanked the Finnish Government and people for their support in Vietnam’s past struggle for national liberation and its current process of national construction.

Revealing the outcome of his talks with Finnish President Tarja Halonen, Mr Triet said that Vietnam will implement the agreements reached and work hand in hand with Finland to raise two-way trade turnover and Finland’s investment in Vietnam to US$1 billion, each in the next few years.

Vietnam pledges to create the best possible conditions for Finnish businesses to invest in fields where they boast strengths such as information technology, ship building and the wood and paper industries.

PM Matti Vanhanen praised Vietnam’s significant achievements in the Doi Moi (Renovation) and international integration process during which it has maintained a high economic growth rate even through the global financial downturn.

The Finnish PM affirmed that Finland highlights Vietnam’s status and role in Europe, Asia and in the world, and hopes to promote its comprehensive cooperation with Vietnam, particularly in economics, trade and investment, with the aim of raising bilateral cooperation in these fields on a par with their fine political relationship.

Mr Matti hopes that Vietnam will successfully perform its role of ASEAN Chair while affirming that Finland will continue to support Vietnam in enhancing its cooperation with the EU.

Earlier, President Triet received the Chairman of the Communist Party of Finland (CPF) Yrjo Hakanen. Mr Triet congratulated the Party on its successful organisation of the Party congress and said Vietnam is always grateful for the valuable support and assistance given by Finnish communists.

Mr Hakanen praised the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) for leading the people to major victories for the Vietnamese nation and the world.

The CPF attaches great importance to expanding international relations including sharing experiences and consolidating solidarity within the CPV.

The same day, Mr Triet received leaders from some Finnish companies.

Vietnam opens its doors to welcome Finnish businesses who want to cooperate with the country in the spirit of mutual benefit, said Mr Triet

Finnish business leaders regard Vietnam as one of the most attractive markets in Asia and they hope their businesses will cooperate successfully in Vietnam.

Source: VOV