(VNF) - On the evening of August 16^th, the Vietnamese Embassy in Ankara, Turkey celebrated the 72^nd anniversary of the Vietnam's National Day (September 2^nd, 1945-2017).

Vietnamese Ambassador to Turkey Pham Anh Tuan (L) and Minister of Customs and Trade of Turkey Bulent Tufenkci at the event’s flag salute ceremony.

In his opening speech, Vietnamese Ambassador to Turkey Pham Anh Tuan said 2017 is a meaningful year when ASEAN celebrates its 50th founding anniversary and Vietnam also marks 22 years of the country’s accession to the bloc. This year, Vietnam also is the host country of the APEC Year 2017 on the theme of "Creating New Motivation, Working Together for the Future".

The Ambassador emphasised the significant developments in bilateral cooperations recent years including the seventh meeting of the Vietnam-Turkey Joint Committee in Hanoi in July in which Vietnam and Turkey set goal for USD 4 billion bilateral turnover by 2020.

In particular, the first official visit of Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim to Vietnam at the end of August will be an important milestone in the diplomatic relations between the two countries. More specifically, the two countries will celebrate 40 years of diplomatic relations in 2018.

On behalf of the Turkish Government, Minister Bulent Tufenkci sent his warm greetings to the Government and people of Vietnam on the occasion of the 72^nd anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day.

He expressed his joy at the growing relationship between Vietnam and Turkey and saying that the 40^th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations in 2018 would be a good opportunity for the two sides to continue to develop bilateral relations.

Tufenkci highly appreciated the role and position of Vietnam in Southeast Asia and ASEAN, adding that Vietnam - one of the emerging economies of Southeast Asia - is a reliable partner of Turkey.

He is also pleased to announce that he will accompany PM Binali Yildirim on his up-coming official visit to Vietnam from August 22^nd-24^th.

The participants looking at the photos introducing the unique landscape and culture of the Vietnamese three regions.

The Minister emphasised that there is great potential for economic cooperation between the two countries. The trade volume between Turkey and Vietnam olny amounted to USD 154 million in 2005 and by 2016 the figure rise to USD 1.96 billion. Direct flights between Istanbul to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Ho Chi Minh of Turkish Airlines has actively supported trade and tourism cooperation between the two countries.

He also said that Turkey's becoming a dialogue partner in the ASEAN region has created a bridge between Turkey and ASEAN.

On the sidelines of the ceremony, the Vietnamese Embassy has organised a photo exhibition introducing the unique landscape and culture of the Vietnamese three regions. The pictures and publications displayed as well as Vietnamese cuisine attracted the attention and left a deep impression on the participants./.

Translated by Chau Pham