HÀ NỘI —  President Trần Đại Quang hosted a reception for visiting Slovakian Deputy Prime Minister for Investments and Informatization Peter Pellegrini, during which he praised the growing ties between the two countries and mutual support at bilateral and international forums.

He noted that the years of 2016 and 2017 marked a breakthrough in the progress of bilateral relations, as Slovak Prime Minister Reobert Fico visited Việt Nam and Deputy Prime Minister Vương Đình Huệ visited Slovakia. The President expressed his belief that a series of signed agreements will inaugurate a new stage in the bilateral relationship.

As two-way trade has yet to meet expectations, he proposed that the two countries enhance the efficiency of the Inter-Governmental Committee on economic cooperation, while increasing exchanges among ministries, sectors, localities and businesses to promote trade and investment collaboration.

Quang also suggested that the two sides work closely to implement the signed agreements, consider the resumption of cooperation in labour and strengthen exchange in education and training.

He pledged to create optimal conditions for Slovak firms to invest in Việt Nam, especially in energy, infrastructure, environmental protection and food safety.

He also thanked the Slovak Government for supporting the Vietnamese community in the country.

He invited President Andrej Kiska to visit Việt Nam.

Slovak Deputy PM Pellegrini said that he and his entourage had fruitful working sessions with leaders of the Vietnamese Government, ministries and sectors. The meetings are expected to lay foundation for the growth of Slovakia-Việt Nam relations in the future, not only in politics but also in economic cooperation, trade and investment.

Slovakia will provide the safest and most favourable conditions for foreign investors, including those from Việt Nam, he said, expressing his hope that Slovakia will become a gateway for Vietnamese products to enter the European market.

He said that in the coming time, Slovakia will appoint Lê Hồng Quang, who is the current Charge d’affaires of Slovakia to Việt Nam, as the ambassador to Việt Nam.

Pellegrini also vowed that the Slovak Government will provide the best conditions for Vietnamese citizens living in the country.

He told his host that on the occasion of Deputy PM Vương Đình Huệ visiting Slovakia in September this year, the Slovak Government built and inaugurated a bronze plate in Horne Saliby town of Trnava province, which President Hồ Chí Minh visited 60 years ago. — VNS