Vietnamese President Nguyễn Xuân Phúc hosted  reception on Wednesday in Hà Nội for Ambassador of New Zealand Tredene Cherie Dobson. — VNA/VNS Photo Thống Nhất

HÀ NỘI — President Nguyễn Xuân Phúc on Wednesday held separate meetings in Hà Nội with ambassadors of New Zealand, Argentina, Pakistan and Romania.

At the reception for Ambassador of New Zealand Tredene Cherie Dobson, President Phúc said he hoped that the ambassador would raise initiatives to promote future cooperation between the two countries, especially when the bilateral relationship was developing intensively and extensively in the spirit of the strategic partnership.

He called on New Zealand to share its experience in COVID-19 combat, and suggested the two sides step up high-level visits after the pandemic is controlled.

The two countries also should foster trade ties, particularly the export of fruits, Phúc said, suggesting New Zealand further assist Việt Nam in education, especially English language teaching.

Việt Nam also wished to tighten coordination with New Zealand and relevant parties in realising the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and accelerating the ratification and implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in the coming time, he added.

The ambassador pledged to make every effort to contribute to strengthening the bilateral relations, and support Vietnamese firms to access the New Zealand market.

Argentina’s Ambassador to Việt Nam Luis Pablo Maria Beltramino and President Nguyễn Xuân Phúc. — VNA/VNS Photo Thống Nhất

Meeting with Argentina’s Ambassador Luis Pablo Maria Beltramino, President Phúc expressed the wish that the two countries would enhance all-level delegation exchanges and bring into full play dialogue and cooperation mechanisms to advance the bilateral comprehensive partnership to a new high.

The President called for joint efforts to press ahead with negotiations of a free trade agreement between Việt Nam and the Southern Common Market (Mercosur), and suggested both sides maintain their mutual support and cooperation at multilateral forums.

The ambassador said he hoped to coordinate with Vietnamese agencies to elevate the bilateral ties to a new level.

Pakistani Ambassador to Việt Nam Samina Mehtab shakes hands with Vietnamese President Nguyễn Xuân Phúc. — VNA/VNS Photo Thống Nhất

At a meeting with Pakistani Ambassador Samina Mehtab, the State leader expressed his hope that the diplomat would have measures to forge economic and trade ties between the two sides.

Việt Nam and Pakistan should optimise their strengths and beef up cooperation in trade, while tightening their collaboration at regional and multilateral forums, the President suggested.

Mehtab said she hoped that Việt Nam would serve as a bridge between Pakistan and ASEAN, and the sides would intensify tourism cooperation.

Romanian Ambassador to Việt Nam Cristina Romila presented her credentials to President Nguyễn Xuân Phúc. — VNA/VNS Photo Thống Nhất

Receiving Romanian Ambassador Cristina Romila, Phúc said Việt Nam always attached importance to the traditional friendship with Romania, and bore in mind the country’s valuable support during Việt Nam’s struggles for national independence and national development.

He also praised Romania for its efforts in pushing ahead with the signing of the EU-Việt Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the EU-Việt Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) when Romania held the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Phúc asked the ambassador to convey his invitation to the Romanian President to visit Việt Nam at an appropriate time.

Ambassador Romila, in reply, said that Việt Nam remained Romania’s important partner, and congratulated the Southeast Asian nation on its achievements in the fight against the pandemic. — VNS