A Brief Look at Greek President's Eventful Visit to Vietnam

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong (R) receives Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou in Hanoi. Photo: VNA

Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou left Ho Chi Minh City on May 19, concluding her five-day official visit to Vietnam, reported VNA.

During her stay in Vietnam, President Sakellaropoulou paid tribute to late President Ho Chi Minh at his Mausoleum, laid a wreath at the Heroic Martyrs’ Monument, held talks with President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, paid a courtesy visit to Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, met with National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue, witnessed the signing of important documents, and joined a tea party chaired by Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan.

Welcoming the Greek President, Party General Secretary Trong affirmed that Vietnam attaches much importance to its traditional friendship with Greece and is delighted at the important progress in their bilateral ties.

He gave a number of proposals to promote the partnership in all fields, and suggested Greece continue to support the Vietnamese community in the country.

During talks between the two presidents, they shared delight that despite the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, trade between the two countries still increased to USD 447 million in 2021, up 33% year on year, and two times higher than the 15% growth in Vietnam-EU trade.

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) and his Greek counterpart Katerina Sakellaropoulou. Photo: VNA

The presidents agreed to promote the win-win partnership, while encouraging and creating favourable conditions for businesses from both nations to strengthen exchanges, focusing on areas of Vietnam’s demand and Greece's strengths such as shipbuilding, maritime logistics, energy and agriculture.

In order to create a framework for bilateral economic cooperation, they agreed to increase negotiations for a double tax avoidance agreement and another on maritime transport.

They pledged to increase collaboration in other fields such as defence, security, culture, education, sports, tourism and people-to-people exchange. President Phuc thanked Greek leaders and authorised agencies to create favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community to live, work and study in the country.

Vietnam and Greece agreed to continue to foster collaboration at international and regional forums, especially in the settlement of non-traditional issues such as pandemics and climate change within the mechanisms of the United Nations, the Asia-Europe Meeting, and ASEAN-EU Cooperation.

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue (R) welcomes Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou. Photo: VNA

In her meeting with the Vietnamese top legislator, President Sakellaropoulou pointed to the potential for bilateral cooperation in history and culture.

The NA leader proposed that President Sakellaropoulou and the Greek Government continue to create favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community in the country to settle down.

He proposed that the two sides speed up the formation of twinning relations among localities, and finalise procedures for the establishment of such relations between Sparta city-state of Greece and Hue city of Vietnam, contributing to promoting people-to-people exchange.

She agreed with the Vietnamese top legislator’s proposal to beef up bilateral trade, saying her visit aims to further beef up bilateral partnership and that the bilateral double taxation avoidance agreement and maritime transportation agreement will be signed soon.

The Greek President said her, with rich experience in protecting heritage against climate change impacts, education and tourism, can cooperate with Vietnam in the field.

The Greek leader expressed interest in the history of the Temple of Literature in Hanoi.

Within the framework of her visit, the Greek leader also visited Hanoi’s traditional craft villages, and Quang Ninh province and Ho Chi Minh City.

Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Phan Van Mai said that the city hopes to receive the exchange of experience, technology transfer and cooperation from Greece in the fields of maritime and logistics, which are its strengths, at a reception for the Greek President and her entourage in the city on May 18.

It is ready to enhance collaboration in tourism development with Greece, as both sides boast potential and see great room for cooperation, he said.

Vice Chairman of the Quang Ninh province's People’s Committee Bui Van Khang (R) welcomes Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou on May 17. Photo: VNA

Visiting Ha Long Bay in the northern province of Quang Ninh by boat. Source: Halong International Cruise Port

The same day, Katerina and the high-ranking Greek delegation offered incense and laid a wreath at the President Ho Chi Minh Monument at the President Ho Chi Minh Monument Park in the city center.

They also visited the Vietnam History Museum, the Opera House and other places in the city.

Her official visit took place in the context that the traditional friendship between the two countries is developing well. It is expected to contribute to strengthening political trust, and deepening multi-faceted cooperation in the fields of politics-diplomacy, economics, culture and tourism.

Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou and her entourage visit Reunification Palace in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: VNA

Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou and the high-ranking Greek delegation offered incense and laid a wreath at the President Ho Chi Minh Monument at the President Ho Chi Minh Monument Park in the city center. Photo: Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee's website

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