Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc welcomes Bulgarian Ambassador Marinela Petkova and Uruguayan Ambassador Rosario Portell Casanova in Hà Nội on Tuesday.— VNA/VNS Photo Thống Nhất

HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc hosted separate receptions for Bulgarian Ambassador Marinela Petkova and Uruguayan Ambassador Rosario Portell Casanova in Hà Nội on Tuesday.

While receiving Marinela Petkova, the PM said Việt Nam always attached great importance to and wanted to further enhance its traditional friendship and multifaceted co-operation with Bulgaria.

He noted the strong development in political ties, which had been demonstrated by exchanges of delegations at all levels.

The PM thanked Bulgaria for supporting Việt Nam to become a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2020-21 tenure.

He asked Bulgaria and the ambassador to support Việt Nam in its relations with the EU to boost the signing and ratification of the EU-Việt Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).

During the diplomat’s tenure in Việt Nam, the two sides should work closely together to host activities in celebration of the 70th founding anniversary of Việt Nam-Bulgaria diplomatic ties, the PM suggested.

He hoped bilateral trade would increase, especially in the fields of energy, oil and gas, green technology, biotechnology, information technology, environmental protection and food processing.

The Vietnamese Government would create favourable conditions for Bulgarian businesses and investors to operate in Việt Nam, he said.

He asked the two countries to organise the 24th session of the inter-governmental committee on co-operation in economy, trade and science.

Marinela Petkova congratulated Việt Nam on the successful hosting of the second summit between the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the US in February 2019.

She said Việt Nam was a responsible member of the international community and hoped the country would become a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2020-21 tenure.

The diplomat said Bulgaria supported the free trade agreement between Việt Nam and the EU and hoped the EVFTA would be implemented soon to open up more co-operation opportunities for the two countries.

The ambassador also suggested the two sides collaborate in the labour and healthcare sectors.

At a reception for Uruguay Ambassador Rosario Portell Casanova, PM Phúc said Việt Nam paid due attention to developing relations with Latin American countries in general and Uruguay in particular, especially in economy, trade and investment.

He asked the two countries to strengthen co-ordination and mutual support at international organisations and multilateral forums as well as implement the outcomes of the first session of the joint committee on co-operation in economy, trade and investment, and the collaboration agreements signed.

Việt Nam wanted to step up win-win co-operation with Uruguay in agriculture, animal husbandry, agro-fishery processing, construction, biotechnology, software and football, he said.

The Uruguayan ambassador said she hoped the trade and investment partnership between the two countries would develop further. 

With over 10 million cows, Uruguay hoped to export its beef products to Việt Nam, she said, adding that the country was also keen to promote co-operation in sports, particularly football. — VNS