Vietnam and Bulgaria need to strengthen economic ties as they are still far from matching their political relations as well as meeting their expectations.
The remark was made by Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan during his talks with Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Simeon Diankov in Sofia, Bulgaria on September 3.
Mr Nhan spoke highly of Bulgaria’s significant socio-economic achievements and its integration into Europe and expressed Vietnam’s wish for bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, national defence, education and training, culture, tourism, science and technology.
Deputy PM Nhan recalled the successful organization of the 22nd session of the Vietnam-Bulgaria Inter-Governmental Committee in June this year which has crated favourable conditions for boosting all-round cooperation in the near future.
Ministries and sectors of the two countries should closely coordinate in carrying out effectively specific cooperation programmes and projects for mutual benefit, he said.
The two leaders agreed on developing a new model of bilateral cooperation in bringing Vietnam’s unprocessed products to Bulgaria for direct processing and export to the European market.
Deputy PM and Minister of Finance Simeon Diankov praised Vietnam’s achievements in socio-economic development, culture, education and training, saying that he is scheduled to visit Vietnam in October to discuss plans for closer cooperation between the two countries in these fields.
The same day, Mr Nhan laid wreaths at the Unknown Soldiers’ Memorial in Sofia, met with Foreign Minister Nicolai Mladenov and visited some production establishments.
Two-way trade turnover between Vietnam and Bulgaria reached US$70 million in 2011 and US$35 million in the first half of this year. Key cooperation areas include telecom and medical equipment, electronics, bio-technology and renewal energy.
Bulgaria now has 7 FDI projects in Vietnam with a total capitalization of US$30 million including a US$14 million project run by Bulgaria’s garments and textiles company Industrial Leasing Ltd in 2010.
VOV
Vietnamese
