Hanoi (VNA) 🍎- The State and Government of Slovenia always value and wish to further develop the friendship and multifaceted cooperation with Vietnam, Slovenian President Natasa Pirc Musar has said.

During her reception to Vietnamese Ambassador to Slovenia Vu Le Thai Hoang following the diplomat presented his credentials to her at the Presidential Palace on April 23, she said there remains ample room for the two countries to enhance collaboration in high-tech industries, digital transformation, green growth, logistics, and labour. Hoang conveyed greetings from Party General Secretary To Lam, State President Luong Cuong, and other senior Vietnamese leaders to President Musar, while expressing his honour at taking up the mission as ambassador to Slovenia after the two countries marked the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties (1994–2024). Briefing the host of the positive developments in traditional friendship and cooperation between the two countries across political, diplomatic, economic and trade areas, the Ambassador underscored the similarities between Vietnam and Slovenia as emerging economies striving for higher development, and pointed to Slovenia’s success in transitioning to a knowledge-based, innovation-driven economy as a model from which Vietnam could learn. He proposed greater collaboration in areas where Slovenia holds strengths and Vietnam has demand, such as science and technology, innovation, digital transformation, green transition, sustainable development, smart cities, smart agriculture, climate change mitigation, labour cooperation, and vocational training. He encouraged Slovenian businesses to invest in key sectors aligned with Vietnam’s development priorities. Besides, the diplomat urged Slovenia to expedite the ratification of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) and support Vietnam in lifting the European Commission’s IUU fishing-related ‘yellow card’ warning on Vietnam's seafood exports. He also expressed his hope for continued support from the President and Government of Slovenia for the Vietnamese community in the European country. President Musar spoke highly of the dynamism of Vietnam’s economy, expressing her hope that both countries identify concrete goals to advance substantive cooperation, especially in light of global challenges such as conflicts, economic uncertainty, and rising protectionism. She also expressed her satisfaction with the growth of traditional friendship and cooperation between the two nations, particularly their mutual support at international forums and shared commitment to multilateralism and international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)./.