Vietnam will open its embassy in Slovakia in 2010 when the two countries will mark the 60th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties, state media reported on December 18, citing President Nguyen Minh Triet.
President Nguyen Minh Triet made the statement during his talk with his counterpart Ivan Gasparovic Dec 17.
Triet and Ivan Gasparovic agreed to expand the bilateral cooperation in the fields of energy, science, environment, health, transport, education, culture and tourism, support mutually in international forums, particularly in protecting human rights.
The Vietnamese leader proposed Slovakia to reconsider its stance on the EU’s imposition of duties on Vietnamese leather-capped shoes.
In reply, the host believed the issue is completely solvable.
“Vietnam is an important partner of Slovakia in the Southeast Asian region,” President Ivan noted, adding that his country has decided to put Vietnam among its ODA recipients from 2009.
Later the talks, the two presidents witnessed the signing of three accords, including an agreement on investment encouragement and protection, a memorandum of understanding between the two foreign ministries and a cooperative agreement between the two countries’ auditing agencies.
President Triet also met with Prime Minister Robert Fico, President of the Slovak National Assembly Pavol Paska, former President Rudolf Schuster and delegates of the Slovak Communist Party, and attended a Vietnam-Slovakia business forum.
Trade between Vietnam and Slovakia hit $114.2 million in 2008, and Vietnam exported $109.8 million worth of electronics, footwear, garment and textiles and spent $4.4 million on importing cattle feed, material plastics and machines and spare parts.
Triet will leave Slovakia today, the final leg of his European tour. Earlier, the Vietnamese leader called at Italy and Spain. (Pioneer, People’s Army)
Vietnamese
