President Trần Đại Quang receives Spanish Ambassador Jesus Figo Lopez Palop Hà Nội yesterday. — VNA/VNS Photo Nhan Sáng

HÀ NỘI — President Trần Đại Quang on Thursday expressed Việt Nam’s desire to constantly strengthen bilateral and multilateral relations with all nations.

He was speaking at separate receptions hosted in Hà Nội for two incoming and two outgoing ambassadors.

Welcoming Spanish Ambassador Jesus Figo Lopez Palop, President Quang affirmed that Việt Nam wanted to intensify its friendship and multifaceted co-operation with Spain – an important member of the European Union. 
He said the two nations should hold more meetings and visits at all level, and called on officials of both sides to continue working closely together in organising activities to celebrate the 40th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations this year. 
He also asked for Spain’s support for Việt Nam’s run for the position of a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2020-21 tenure, and for Ambassador Phạm Sanh Châu’s candidacy as UNESCO General Director for the 2017-21 tenure. 
Ambassador Palop stressed the significance of regular exchange of high-ranking delegations between the two countries and underlined co-operation prospects in economy, trade and energy. 
Palop also expressed confidence that Việt Nam will succeed in its run for a seat at the UN Security Council for the 2020-21 period and Ambassador Châu’s candidacy for the UNESCO post. 

Welcoming Yemeni Ambassador Adel Mohamed Ali Ba Hamid, President Quang said Việt Nam will create optimal conditions for the diplomat to fulfil his tasks. 
President Quang said he hopes the internal situation in Yemen would stabilise soon through dialogue. Việt Nam wished the people of Yemen a peaceful, stable and prosperous life, he said.
Ambassador Hamid briefed his host on the domestic situation in Yemen and current difficulties facing the country. He affirmed that Yemen is interested in boosting bilateral relations, especially in economy and trade.

Outgoing envoys

President Quang also received Finnish Ambassador Ilkka Pekka Simila and Greek Ambassador Nikos Kanellos, who called on him to bid farewell.
Quang lauded the Finnish Ambassador’s positive contributions to strengthening friendship and co-operation between Việt Nam and Finland during his tenure.

He thanked the Finnish Government for providing valuable ODA for Việt Nam over the past years, adding that Finnish-funded projects have been carried out effectively, especially in poverty reduction, clean water supply, rural development, forestry management and innovation. 
He also praised the effectiveness of the second phase of the Việt Nam-Finland Innovation Partnership Programme, and the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Science and Technology and Finland’s TEKES Foundation in March 2016 to support joint projects, technology transfer and commercialisation of research results. 
He also applauded Finland’s initiative to set up a bilateral strategic partnership in education, renovation, information and communication technology, water management, forestry and clean technology. 
Ambassador Simila said there was potential for even stronger co-operation between Việt Nam and Finland. The  upcoming visit to Finland by Vice President Đặng Thị Ngọc Thịnh in October this year will be a good chance for the two sides to enhance co-operative ties, he said. 
Receiving Greek Ambassador Kanellos, President Quang expressed his pleasure at the development of friendship and co-operation between the two countries, and appreciated the diplomat’s contributions to strengthening bilateral ties. 
He proposed the two sides continue co-ordinate closely at the UN and ASEAN-EU and ASEM mechanisms. He asked Greece to support the early signing and approval of the EU-Việt Nam Free Trade Agreement. 
Việt Nam will create optimal conditions for businesses of both sides to expand their partnership, initially speeding up the signing of a double tax avoidance agreement and a shipping agreement, he said. 
Ambassador Kanellos affirmed that Greece will work harder to promote relations between the EU and Việt Nam. He praised Việt Nam’s achievements in national development and construction, and promised to continue contributing to the growth of relations between Greece and Việt Nam. — VNS