Vietnamese Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan and Greek Deputy Prime Minister Panagiotis Pikrammenos. (Photo: VNA)

During her official visit to the European country from October 31 to November 2, Xuan held talks with Greek Deputy Prime Minister Panagiotis Pikrammenos, met with General Secretary of the Communist Party of Greece Dimitrios Koutsoumpas and chaired a Vietnam – Greece business seminar.

At the talks, the officials expressed their delight at the bilateral friendship and sound cooperation in vairous fields over the past 45 years since the establishment of the Vietnam-Greece diplomatic relations. They agreed that the two countries need to enhance all-level interactions and exchanges, according to VietnamPlus.

They stressed the need to continue the effective implementation of the Vietnam-Greece tourism cooperation agreement and advance the bilateral collaboration in education – training, archaeology, cultural exchange and other exchange activities.

Xuan asked the Greek Deputy Prime Minister to convey Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s invitation to the Greek Prime Minister to pay an official visit to Vietnam.

She used the occasion to thank Greece for the decision to donate 250,000 doses of the Covid-19 vaccine to Vietnam.

Economic - trade cooperation between Vietnam and Greece is yet to be on par with their political relations and their potentials. Photo: VnExpress

The Vice President lauded Greece's early ratification of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA). She said that the sides’ economic - trade cooperation is yet to be on par with their political relations and their potentials.

Xuan also expressed her wish to receive technical support from Greece and the EU to implement solutions to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Deputy PM Panagiotis Pikrammenos affirmed that the Greek Government will make efforts to promote its cooperation with Vietnam in all aspects, both bilaterally and multilaterally.

Exchanging views on international and regional issues of mutual concern, the two sides stressed the importance of peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation, and of dispute settlement by peaceful means that respect international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Vietnamese, Greek officials pose for a group photo. Source: VNA

Meeting with Dimitrios Koutsoumpas, the Vietnamese Vice President stated Vietnam commits to being a trustworthy and responsible friend, partner and member of the international community with active participation in international and regional cooperation processes.

Praising positive growth of the Vietnam-Greece ties, she affirmed that Vietnam values and wants to strengthen its friendship and multifaceted collaboration with Greece.

Both officials agreed to maintain bilateral consultation and cooperation mechanisms between the two Parties and States in a bid to push the nations’ relations to new heights.

Chairing the Vietnam-Greece business seminar, Vice President Xuan said it is a golden time now for the two countries to work closely together to bring their good traditional relationship to new heights, especially in economy, trade and investment. The sides need to promote exchange and trade of commodities of their strengths.

Earlier, Xuan met with Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Greece Charalampos Athanasiou, during which she suggested the Greek parliament continue promoting the effective implementation of the EVFTA and the EVIPA for common benefits of the two nations, as Vietnam – Greece economic and trade ties remain modest compared to political ties.

The host affirmed appreciation of ties with Vietnam and support for Vietnam – Greece and Vietnam – EU relations, Viet Nam News said.

He pledged to step up all-around ties with Vietnam, both bilaterally and at multilaterally.

On November 2, Xuan concluded her visit, departing for Vietnam./.

Vietnam Among EU’s Top 10 Largest Goods Suppliers Vietnam is one of the top 10 largest suppliers of goods to the EU market, with wo-way trade hitting EUR43.2 billion last year.

Vietnam, Greece promote maritime cooperation The Vietnamese Embassy in Greece on June 6th organised a conference introducing the Vietnam National Shipping Lines (Vinalines) and Vietnam’s marine shipping and shipbuilding industries ...

Vietnam, Greece increase cooperation in tourism Vietnamese Ambassador to Greece Tran Thi Ha Phuong on May 13th worked with Ms Elena Koutoura, Greek Minister of Tourism to promote tourism cooperation between ...