HÀ NỘI – Việt Nam attaches importance to the friendship and multifaceted co-operation with Israel in the cause of peace and development, Party General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng said yesterday.

Receiving Israeli President Reuven Rivlin in Hà Nội, the Party leader expressed satisfaction with the sound development of bilateral ties, particularly in trade, hi-tech agriculture and defence technology. 
Both sides should enhance bilateral collaboration by strengthening economic ties, encouraging investment partnerships, increasing delegation exchanges at all levels, and fostering co-operation between their parties, parliaments and peoples, he said.

This would bolster mutual understanding and trust, and make bilateral co-operation more effective, he added. 
He reiterated Việt Nam’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, co-operation and development, multilateralisation and diversification of foreign relations on the basis of equality, mutual benefit, and compliance with basic principles of international law. 
President Rivlin expressed his admiration for late President Hồ Chí Minh and the Vietnamese people who fought heroically for national independence. 
He spoke highly of Việt Nam’s Đổi mới (Reform) achievements and its stature in the region and the world, voicing the belief that the country will obtain even greater achievements in national development and protection under the leadership of the Communist Party of Việt Nam. 
He informed Trọng about Israel’s situation and the outcomes of his meetings with other Vietnamese leaders. 
Rivlin affirmed Israel’s willingness and resolve to intensify amity and affiliation between the two countries, especially in science and technology, agriculture, trade, security and defence, and education and training. He said the two sides should keep capitalising on opportunities and potential to augment bilateral ties in the time to come. — VNS