Senior leaders host Greek Foreign Minister

Receiving Greek Foreign Minister Nikolaos Dendias, the Vietnamese State leader thanked Greece for its gift worth 50,000 EUR to the Vietnam Olympic Committee, and its donation of 250,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine in late 2021.

He suggested Vietnam and Greece step up cooperation in such areas as education-training, maritime transport, national defence, labour, agriculture, people-to-people exchange and collaboration between localities.

Vietnam always bears in mind Greece’s good sentiments and valuable support during the Southeast Asian nation’s struggles for national independence and reunification as well as the present cause of national construction and development, Phuc told his guest.

He was appreciative of the sacrifice of Greek Hero of the Vietnam People's Armed Forces Kostas Sarantidis, also known as Nguyen Van Lap, and expressed his elation to know that the hero’s remains have been brought to Vietnam as he wished.

Noting with pleasure positive developments of the Vietnam-Greece relations, the leader regarded Greek President Katerina Sakellaroupoulu’s visit to Vietnam last May as a hallmark in the bilateral ties, contributing to deepening mutual understanding and facilitating mutually beneficial development.

There is plenty of room for economic cooperation, especially at a time when the two economies have benefited from the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), Phuc went on to say.

For his part, Dendias conveyed regards and wishes of President Sakellaroupoulu to President Phuc.

Greece places importance on Vietnam’s role and position in the region, and backs Vietnam in its efforts to enhance the partnership and comprehensive cooperation with the EU, he affirmed.

The two countries should continue their effective coordination and mutual support at multilateral and international forums, the Greek diplomat added.

Regarding the East Sea issue, he accentuated Greece’s support for Vietnam’s and ASEAN’s stance on settling disputes by peaceful measures in line with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS), contributing to maintaining peace and development in the region and the world.

Phuc thanked the Greek Government for their support to the Vietnamese community in the host country, especially during the COVID-19 spread, and welcomed Greece’s idea to build a monument of late President Ho Chi Minh in Greece.

Meeting with the Greek diplomat the same day, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed Vietnam’s recognition of great importance to the traditional friendship with Greece.

He thanked the Greek government for its gift worth 50,000 EUR to the Vietnam Olympics Committee and its donation of hundreds of thousands of COVID-19 vaccine doses to the Southeast Asian nation in November 2021.

Vietnam and Greece should intensify meetings and delegation exchanges at all levels, especially the high-level one, and continue their mutual support at multilateral forums and international organisations, Chinh said.

He also suggested the two countries play a more active role in handling regional and global issues, and effectively cooperate in such spheres as trade, agriculture, labour, culture, sports and tourism.

Showing his delight at the bilateral trade, the PM called on Greece to create favourable conditions for Vietnamese agricultural products to penetrate the Greek market and the EU.

Businesses of the two countries should capitalize on the great opportunities generated by the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) in order to elevate the bilateral trade revenue to US$5 billion as agreed by Vietnamese and Greek senior leaders, the Vietnamese cabinet leader continued.

He also asked both sides' ministries and agencies to remove obstacles, towards the signing of a maritime transport agreement and another on double tax avoidance.

The Vietnamese Government leader lauded Greece as one of the first European countries to ratify the EVIPA, and called on the country to urge the European Commission (EC) to soon remove its “yellow card” warning on Vietnamese seafood.

He underlined the need for both countries to speed up the implementation of a cultural cooperation agreement signed in 2008, especially the sharing of experience in archeology, the conservation and restoration of relics, making dossiers to seek UNESCO recognition.

Dendias congratulated Vietnam on its achievements in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, controlling inflation, stabilising the macro-economy, ensuring major balances, and boosting economic recovery and development.

Greece always regards Vietnam as a priority and important partner in the region and wishes to further strengthen multifaceted cooperation with the Southeast Asian nation, he added.

The Greek FM glowingly spoke of Vietnam's increasing role, position and contributions to maintaining peace, stability and development in the region and in the world.

He reiterated his country’s strong support for Vietnam's stance as well as agreed on the importance of ensuring security and safety of aviation and navigation, and settling disputes in the East Sea by peaceful measures on the basis of respect for international law, and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS).

PM Chinh welcomed the proposal of the Greek side to build a monument and memorial space for President Ho Chi Minh in Greece.

He suggested agencies of the two sides work specifically to carry out the proposal.
The Vietnamese Government chief conveyed an invitation to Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to visit Vietnam in the time to come.