HCM City (VNA)ꩲ – Ho Chi Minh City and Slovakia’s eastern city of Kosice on November 15 signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on setting up bilateral friendship and cooperation in various fields.

The MoU, reached during the ongoing visit of Kosice Governor Richard Rasi, is expected to create a mechanism for both sides to create a win-win partnership in line with the law and policies of Vietnam and Slovakia as well as international conventions joined by both countries. Under the deal, the two cities will maintain regular high-level meetings to evaluate the progress of the MoU and seek solutions to tackling arising issues. Meanwhile, the two sides will create favourable conditions and suitable foundation for the exchange of information and experience, focusing on strengthening cooperation in areas of each locality’s potential and strength, especially in economy, tourism, science-technology, education and culture. Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Nguyen Thanh Phong expressed hope that the government of Slovakia and Kocise city will continue supporting the Vietnamese community in leading a stable life, integrating into local society and contributing to the growth of the host country. He said he believes that the MoU is the first step for both sides to implement joint projects in the future. Ho Chi Minh City is striving to build a city with high living standards, becoming one of major economic, financial and science-technology hubs of the region, he said, adding that the city always attaches much importance to investment from foreign investors, including those from Slovakia. He called on businesses of Slovakia and Kocise city in particular to stay active in seeking partnership opportunities in Vietnam as well as in Ho Chi Minh City, pledging that the city always backs foreign investors during their operation. On his part, Richard Rasi expressed belief that basing on the foundation of the sound relations between the two countries, local level cooperation between the two sides, including Ho Chi Minh City-Kocise ties, will continue to be effective in the future. Rasi held that along with trade, the two cities share high potential of cooperation in culture, sports, environment, education and training. The signing of the deal will contribute to reinforcing and strengthening partnership between the two cities, making it more practical through specific affiliation programmes and projects in various fields.-VNA