Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc received Polish Ambassador Wojciech Gerwel in Hà Nội on Wednesday. – VNA/VNS Photo Thống Nhất

HÀ NỘI – Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc received Polish Ambassador Wojciech Gerwel in Hà Nội on Wednesday, noting that having served as a trade counsellor in Việt Nam for many years, the diplomat will bring bilateral economic and trade ties to a new level.

Ambassador Gerwel expressed his honour to assume this position, saying that his experience in Việt Nam will help promote the two countries’ relations.

Highlighting his special sentiment towards Việt Nam, he said the Vietnamese community in Poland, including students, is a bridge leading the way towards more robust bilateral connections.

Gerwel said he will prioritise enhancing co-operation in politics, economy, education-training and culture with Việt Nam. He expressed his wish for closer co-ordination between the Polish Embassy and ministries, sectors and localities of Việt Nam.

Stressing economic ties, the diplomat said his country is strong in agriculture, food and pharmaceutical production, shipbuilding and mining, so it wants to step up partnerships in these spheres.

Poland has established a trade office in Việt Nam and this is one of the first overseas representative offices of the Polish Investment and Trade Agency, showing the importance his country attaches to economic links with the Southeast Asian nation, he noted.

Ambassador Gerwel expressed his belief that the EU-Việt Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) will take effect soon. He added that LOT Polish Airlines, the national flag carrier of Poland, plans to open a direct air route to Việt Nam, and this route will help shorten the two countries’ distance and facilitate tourism co-operation.

At the meeting, PM Phúc pledged the best possible conditions for the ambassador to promote collaboration with Vietnamese ministries, sectors and localities.

There remains much room for trade ties, he said, noting that bilateral trade has potential to rise strongly from the current revenue of over US$1 billion.

He asked Poland to promote the signing and ratification of the EVFTA. The two sides should also work closely to disburse the preferential credit package of EUR250 million that Poland pledged for Việt Nam.

The Government leader also applauded the planned opening of a direct air route, saying he believes that it will help bolster investment, tourism and cultural exchange between the two countries. – VNS