The welcome ceremony for President Triet and his wife was a grand event, showing the profound feelings that the Spanish Royal Family and people have for Vietnamese people. Queen Sofia told President Triet, “ My family loves Vietnam with all their hearts”.

The Spanish Queen has visited Vietnam twice, the first time in 2002 and the second time with King Joan Carlos in 2006. The Spanish Princess also visited Vietnam to help carry out support projects and those visits made a good impression on the Vietnamese people.

At a State reception for Mr Triet and his wife, King Joan Carlos said that during the past decade, Vietnam has become a dynamic Asian nation and Spain wants to tighten and expand its relations with Vietnam.

President Triet said that Spanish leaders have shown solidarity, friendship towards Vietnam and the Spanish Government considers Vietnam a priority country in its relations with the Asia Pacific region.

He also expressed hope that Vietnam and Spain will expand their bilateral cooperation in politics, diplomacy, economics, culture, science, education and healthcare.

Over the past five years, Spain has been a big trading partner of Vietnam with its trade growing by 25 percent annually. Last year, two-way trade turnover hit more than US$1.1 billion.

During their talks, Spanish PM Zapatero confirmed that Spain sees Vietnam as an emerging nation, therefore, his country is keen to promote bilateral relations with Vietnam in all fields. This will serve as a solid foundation for both countries to establish a strategic partnership.

The Spanish Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism, Miguel Sebastian, said that Spain always pays attention to developing its relationship with Vietnam and the agreements and contracts reached by the two countries during Mr Triet’s visit will add fresh impetus to strengthening bilateral cooperation. Spain is an attractive destination for Vietnamese businesses to enter the EU market and the Spanish Government will support its businesses when expanding bilateral relations with Vietnam and other regional countries.

Several businesses from both countries signed a number of important agreements at the two Vietnam-Spain business forums held in Madrid and Barcelona.

The Chairman of the Vietnam Chammber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), Vu Tien Loc, said that Spanish and Vietnamese businesses have worked together in many important fields such as raising capital, building an underground system in HCM City and highways across Vietnam and carrying out projects on hydro power electricity, mining, automobile assembly, hospital construction, tourism, sports and culture. Vietnam hopes that this cooperation will create a foundation for establishing an economic strategic partnership between the two business communities, noted Mr Loc.

Five centuries ago, the first Spanish merchants arrived in Hoi An wharf to build up a thriving trade there. That historic heritage is a valuable premise for Vietnam and Spain to promote their strategic partnership in the future, said President Triet.