President Trần Đại Quang (R) receives Cuban Ambassador Herminio Lopez Diaz in Hà Nội yesterday. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — President Trần Đại Quang hosted receptions in Hà Nội yesterday for Cuban Ambassador Herminio Lopez Diaz, and Ambassador and Head of the EU Delegation to Việt Nam Bruno Angelet. 

At the meeting with the Cuban diplomat, the President affirmed Việt Nam’s determination to, together with Cuba, carry out signed agreements for programmes and projects. 

He suggested the two countries exchange experience gained during reform processes, helping to develop the Việt Nam-Cuba relationship. 

Speaking of the contributions of the ambassador, the State leader said he believed that the diplomat maintained close co-ordination with Vietnamese offices to help bilateral ties grow. 

He also backed the diplomat’s proposal of establishing a Latin American culture centre in Việt Nam. 

The Cuban ambassador asserted the embassy staff’s determination to tighten the friendship and co-operation between the two countries. 

President Trần Đại Quang (R) meets with Ambassador and Head of the EU Delegation to Việt Nam Bruno Angelet. — VNA/VNS Photo

When receiving the EU ambassador, Quang welcomed EU member states’ ratification of the Partnership and Co-operation Agreement and asked the EU to quickly finish procedures to make the agreement become effective. 

He appreciated the EU’s consideration of Việt Nam as a priority partner in its 2014-20 development co-operation policy. 

Thanking the EU for its 90,000 euros (around US$100,500) aid for several localities hit by drought and saltwater intrusion, the State leader requested the EU continue its support in helping Việt Nam implement its sustainable development goals and intensify its capacity in climate change adaptation. 

Việt Nam appreciated the EU’s international role as well as its contributions to maintaining peace and stability, fostering co-operation and development in Asia-Pacific and Southeast Asia, and ensuring aviation and maritime security, safety and freedom on the basis of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). 

Ambassador Angelet stated that the EU Delegation to Việt Nam wanted to contribute more to the development of EU-Việt Nam relations. The delegation is preparing several projects to intensify co-operation with Việt Nam. 

The EU plans to focus on fields like energy, audit and finance with the Ministry of Industry and Trade; law enforcement and judicial assistance with the Ministries of Justice and Public Security; and co-operation to ensure aviation and maritime security, safety and freedom on the basis of the UNCLOS. 

It also wants to support the Mekong River Commission in water resources management and climate change response, he added. — VNS