PM: VN advocates enhancing ties with Greece

VGP - PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc has asked the Vietnamese and Greek governments to boost ties across the marine-based economy, maritime navigation, shipbuilding, agriculture and tourism, adding that Viet Nam advocates enhancing ties with the European Union, including Greece.

February 14, 2017 10:29 AM GMT+7

Prime Minister receives Greek Foreign Minister N. Kotzias in Ha Noi on February 10, 2017.

During a reception in Ha Noi on February 13 for Greek Foreign Minister N. Kotzias, Phuc said given the 40-year cooperation since the establishment of bilateral diplomatic ties, the two countries need to facilitate visits at all levels and channels, thereby raising mutual understanding and collaboration in potential fields between the two nations.

Viet Nam highly values Greece’s support for the development of Viet Nam-EU ties and the Greek legislature’s approval of the Viet Nam-EU Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, he said, suggesting Greece back the early signing and adoption of the EU-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).

He expressed his hope that Greece will support Viet Nam’s stance on the East Sea issue, including the settlement of the East Sea issue by peaceful means, including diplomatic and legal measures; the objection to the use of force or threat to use force; and the serious abidance by international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), contributing to maintaining peace, stability and development in the region.

Kotzias, for his part, said Greece holds great potential of goods transit thanks to its geographical location as an important gateway from Asia to Europe.

He affirmed that Greece backs Viet Nam’s strengthening of ties with the EU as well as Viet Nam-Greece ties in shipbuilding and culture.

Informing the host of the outcomes of his talks with Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh, he said both sides discussed measures to reinforce bilateral links in diverse areas.

The two countries will continue working closely together within the framework of multilateral cooperation mechanisms, he said.-VNA