Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan (L) and Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou. Photo: VNA

Vietnamese Vice President began her official visit to Greece from Oct. 31 – Nov. 2, meeting Greek President, Deputy Speaker of the Parliament and Vietnamese community in Greece, reported VNA Monday.

Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan on Nov. 1 had a meeting with Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou, during which both sides agreed to enhance the exchange of delegations and visits at all levels, especially those at high level, towards expanding bilateral economic, trade, investment, cultural and tourism ties.

Sakellaropoulou announced a decision to present 250,000 Covid-19 AstraZeneca vaccine doses to Vietnam.

Xuan thanked Greece for the decision, saying that it demonstrates the loyal friendship between the two nations and their people.

On regional and global issues, they affirmed support for the settlement of disputes by peaceful means, refraining from use or threat to use force, as well as highlighted the importance of maritime security, safety and freedom, and compliance with international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

On the occasion, Xuan conveyed President Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s letter to the Greek President to invite her to Vietnam next year.

Meeting Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Greece Charalampos Athanasiou the same day, the Vietnamese official suggested the Greek parliament continue promoting the effective implementation of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the Vietnam – EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (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 relationships.

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

Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan on October 30 in Athens, Greece visited family of Kostas Sarantidis, the sole foreigner who was honoured with the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces of Vietnam. Photo: VNA

Earlier on Oct. 31, the Vice President visited the family of the late Greek hero of the Vietnam People’s Armed Forces Kostas Nguyen Van Lap as well as met staff of the Vietnamese Embassy and representatives of the Vietnamese community in Greece and attended the launching ceremony of the Greece - Vietnam Liaison Committee for Solidarity and Cooperation.

Meeting Kostas's family, Xuan touched and proud of a soldier who fully devoted himself to the Vietnamese revolution. Regarding the family's desire to bring the ashes of the late hero back to Vietnam, the Vice President said that the authorities will coordinate with the family to complete the procedures, which are expected to be buried at the Zone 5 Military Cemetery, Da Nang city.

Vice President met staff of the Vietnamese Embassy and representatives of the Vietnamese community in Greece. Photo: VNA

Kostas Sarantidis, also known by the Vietnamese name Nguyen Van Lap, the legendary man who fought alongside the people of Vietnam against the French colonialists, passed away on the evening of June 25 (Vietnam time) at the age of 94.

According to Idcommunism.com, Nguyen Van Lap was born into a worker’s family in the North of Greece in 1927. He was 16 when he was sent to the German army in 1943. After World War II, he could not return home due to having no identity documents and later joined the French Foreign Legion and was mobilised to Indochina.

After Sarantidis set foot in Sai Gon (now Ho Chi Minh City) in 1946, he decided to follow the Viet Minh (the short name for Vietnam Doc Lap Dong Minh or Vietnam Independence League) as he had witnessed the invaders’ cruelty to the innocent Vietnamese and realised the aspirations of the Vietnamese revolution.

He was given the name Nguyen Van Lap and served in various posts, participating in many battles.

He was honoured with many noble rewards from the Vietnamese State. In January, 2011, he received the Friendship Order and Vietnamese citizenship. In 2013, he was named a Hero of the People’s Armed Forces and became the only foreigner to have received this noble title.

He lived with his family in Athens, Greece.

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