Rome (VNA) – GreekPresident Prokopis Pavlopoulos has affirmed his support for enhancingall-round cooperation with Vietnam during his reception for visiting VietnameseDeputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh on July 2.

He said with itsgeographical location and development achievements, Vietnam has played anincreasingly important role in the region and the world at large.

Lauding Minh’sofficial visit to Greece from July 1-2, the host said the trip will contributeto promoting bilateral ties.

For his part, Minhexpressed his wish for further friendship between the two countries byincreasing high-ranking delegation exchanges and high-level meetings, as wellas expanding cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, investment, culture,and tourism.

On this occasion, theofficial conveyed President Tran Dai Quang’s invitation to President ProkopisPavlopoulos to pay an official visit to Vietnam. The Greek President acceptedthe invitation with pleasure.

Talking about regional and global issues, host and guest affirmed theirsupport for the enforcement of international law, and agreed to join hands forpeace and stability in the region and the wider world.

During his visit, Deputy PM and FM Minh met with Greek Deputy PM andMinister of Economy and Development Giannis Dragasakis.

The two sides shared the view that although bilateral trade climbedfrom 196 million USD in 2015 to 335 million USD in 2017, it has failed to matchthe potential and aspirations of both countries.

They suggested stepping up collaborative efforts in such areas asmaritime transportation and logistics, shipbuilding, seaport exploitation,tourism, and agricultural product processing.

Minh called on the Greek Government and enterprises to increasebusiness and investment activities with Vietnam, and the chambers of commerceof the two countries to organise further events, such as business forums.

Vietnam stands ready to work as a bridge helping Greek enterprisesenter the Southeast Asia and Asia-Pacific markets, he stressed.

Giannis Dragasakis said as a gateway to Europe, Greece wants tostrengthen collaboration with Vietnam, and backs the early signing of theEU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement.

Greece is willing to share its experience with Vietnam in tourism,seaport management and exploitation, and maritime transportation, he said.

The two sides agreed to create a legal framework to promote bilateraleconomic and trade ties, including negotiations for the signing of an agreementon double taxation avoidance, and another agreement on maritime transportation.

While in Greece, Minh held talks with Greek FM Nikos Kotzias, duringwhich they noted with pleasure the fruitful bilateral friendship andcooperation across several fields over the past 40 years since the two countriesset up diplomatic ties.

The two sides should increase meetings at different levels in order toimprove mutual understanding, and roll out specific measures to advance thebilateral ties effectively and comprehensively, they said.

The officials agreed to continue to effectively realise the memorandumof understanding on tourism cooperation between Vietnam and Greece, while forgingpartnerships in education and training, archaeology, and culture.

They also consented to increase exchanges between the two foreignministries and exchange officials specialising in international relations andmaritime laws, while enhancing coordination at regional and internationalforums.

Minh urged the Greek Government to create conditions for the Vietnamesecommunity in the country to have a stable legal status and integrate into thehost society, thus contributing to local socio-economic development as well asthe greater friendship between the two countries.

Following the talks, the officials reached a bilateral agreement onvisa exemption for diplomatic passport holders.

On July 1, Deputy PM and FM Minh had a meeting with the staff of the VietnameseEmbassy and representatives of the Vietnamese community in Greece. -VNA