Vietnam, Slovakia talk ways to beef up ties

Deputy PM, FM Pham Binh Minh and Slovak counterpart Miroslav Lajcak, Ha Noi, November 4, 2014 - Photo: VGP

Speaking at the joint press briefing after the talks, Deputy PM, FM Minh said both sides reviewed bilateral cooperation in various fields like politics, economy, diplomacy, national defense and security and worked out orientations to further accelerate the bilateral ties.

The two Deputy PMs agreed to strengthen the exchange of high-level visits and coordination at regional and international forums, especially the United Nations and between ASEAN and the EU.

The two sides agreed to continue the operation of the Intergovernmental Committee on Economic Cooperation and create favorable conditions for their business communities to foster contacts and market surveys in respective countries.

Deputy PM Minh noted with pleasure that the two countries’ economic and trade links have witnessed positive changes over the past time, with the two-way trade value increasing 35% to US$407 million last year.

He also highly valued the participation of Slovak enterprises in the two business forums held in Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City as part of Deputy PM, FM Miroslav Lajcak’s visit to Viet Nam

Deputy PM, FM Minh called on Slovak businesses to pour investment in such areas as infrastructure development, environmental protection, food processing and banking among others.

He took the occasion to thank the Slovak Government for facilitating the Vietnamese community to integrate into the European country.

For his part, Mr. Miroslav Lajcak said both countries have enjoyed long-lasting frienship and cooperation and pledged to continue expanding the bilateral ties.

Slovakia is the 2nd largest trade partner of Viet Nam in the Central and Eastern Europe and an important investor in the Southeast Asian country.

On the occasion, the two sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding on environmental protection and water management.