At the gathering, Ambassador Nguyen Phu Binh briefed international friends on Vietnam’s most impressive socio-economic achievements and other recent developments, including celebrations to mark the 1,000^th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi. He expressed Vietnam’s hope of receiving further support from international friends like Japan so it can continue to achieve its socio-economic goals and fulfil its duty as ASEAN president.

The Japanese Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Akamatsu Hirotaka, noted that since Vietnam and Japan signed an Investment Encouragement and Protection Agreement in 2004 and the Vietnam-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement came into effect in 2009, economic and trade ties between the two countries have developed strongly. He hoped that the ties would expand into the fields of agriculture, forestry and fisheries.

*** On the same day, the Vietnamese Embassy in Algeria assembled Vietnamese residents in Algeria to celebrate the Tet holiday. They were treated to traditional music and foods.

*** Meanwhile, Ambassador to Russia Bui Dinh Dinh hosted a ceremony marking the 60^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Vietnam and Russia. Mr Dinh said the informal ties of friendship and the more formal comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Russia have both been strengthened and consolidated over time.

Russian Minister of Industry and Trade Khristenko said the establishment of diplomatic ties 60 years ago laid a firm foundation for long-lasting co-operative ties between the two countries.