Vietnam and Bulgaria will increase all-round cooperation, especially in economics, education-training, culture, tourism, national defence and security.

The agreement was reached during talks in Hanoi on April 7 between Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and his visiting Bulgarian counterpart Plamen Oreshaski.

The two PMs noted that the traditional friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Bulgaria has developed well in all realms and at various levels.

Bulgaria was one of the first 10 countries recognising and establishing diplomatic ties with Vietnam on February 8, 1950. Together with their fine political and diplomatic ties, the two countries signed a new agreement on economic and trade cooperation, granting each other the Most-Favoured Nation status.

Despite the global economic downturn, bilateral trade ties in 2012 remained steady, at nearly US$59 million. Vietnam exported garments, footwear, coffee, pepper, tobacco, coal and seafood to Bulgaria, and imported chemicals, pharmaceuticals, wines, machinery, ship building equipment, wheat, and animal feed.

Currently Bulgaria has 7 operational projects in Vietnam with a total registered capitalisation of more than US$30 million.

Vietnam attaches great importance to strengthening the ties of traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation with Bulgaria, Dung told his guest.

In response, Oreshaski assured Dung that Bulgaria considers Vietnam a strategic partner in Southeast Asia and wants to further develop economic and trade ties with the country.

Both host and guest agreed to create favourable conditions for the two business communities to meet and establish partnerships in the areas of mutual concern, such as infrastructure construction, urban development planning, public transport development, efficient use of energy, environmental protection, and food processing.

They discussed specific areas of cooperation within the framework of the new economic cooperation model adopted during Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev’s visit to Vietnam in October 2013, aiming to lift bilateral relations to a level of strategic partnership in the near future.

PM Dung thanked Bulgaria for supporting Vietnamese expatriates in residing and working stably in the country, and expressed hope the Vietnamese community will serve as the bridge to foster friendship and cooperation between the two nations.

Dung and Oreshaski noted with satisfaction at the effective and close coordination between Vietnam and Bulgaria at international forums, and agreed to increase such connection.

They shared the view all East Sea disputes should be settled through peaceful means in line with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Oreshaski took the occasion to invite Dung to visit Bulgaria, and the invitation was accepted with pleasure. The visit will be arranged through diplomatic channels.

After talks, the two PMs witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding on agriculture, livestock breeding and fishery cooperation, and cultural and tourism cooperation programmes for 2014-2016 between Vietnam and Bulgaria.

Top leaders affirm close Vietnam-Bulgaria ties

Vietnam attaches importance to relations with traditional friends, including Bulgaria, said senior Vietnamese Party, State and National Assembly leaders at an April 7 reception for Bulgarian PM Plamen Oreshaski.

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong welcomed Oreshaski’s visit as a milestone in bilateral relations, and thanked Bulgaria for its wholehearted support for Vietnam in national construction and defence.

He voiced Vietnam’s determination to consolidate and further develop fine relations with Bulgaria, and hoped the European country will reap greater success in national development.

For his part, Oreshaski confirmed Bulgaria will speed up implementation of agreements reached during his visit to make a breakthrough in Bulgaria-Vietnam relations, especially in economic, investment and trade cooperation.

Meeting with the visiting PM, State President Truong Tan Sang said Vietnam is ready to serve as a bridge for Bulgaria to boost cooperation with other ASEAN countries.

He hailed the growing economic and trade ties between the two countries, and noted the upcoming signing of the Vietnam-European Union free trade agreement (FTA) will open up plenty of opportunity for bilateral economic and trade cooperation.

He proposed both sides create favourable conditions for their business communities to meet and explore each other’s markets to establish long-term partnerships.

He thanked Bulgaria for supporting Vietnam’s East Sea stance, saying all disputes should be settled through peaceful means.

Oreshaski told Sang Bulgaria considers Vietnam a strategic partner in the region and it will do its utmost to strengthen all-round cooperation with Vietnam.

He said economic ties remain modest, but they have considerable potential for stronger development.

Bulgaria is ready to help Vietnam enhance cooperation with other European countries, the PM said.

At another reception for PM Oreshaski, National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung assured his guest the Vietnam National Assembly supports the two governments’ cooperation and strive to elevate relations to new heights.

VNA/VNS