Bulgaria regards Vietnam as an important Southeast Asian partner and is ready to back the Southeast nation in its expanded relations with the European Union (EU), Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev told Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan at a meeting on December 4.

At the meeting, Vice President Doan expressed delight at her revisit to Bulgaria as the two countries are preparing for the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2015.

Doan spoke glowingly of the Vietnam visits by the Bulgarian President in 2013 and by Prime Minister Plamen Oresasky in 2014 which have added fresh impetus to deepening the bilateral ties between Vietnam and Bulgaria.

President Plevneliev, in turn, said the Vietnamese delegation’s visit ahead of the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations would be an important first step for a broad array of events in 2015.

He recalled the good impression on his visit to Vietnam in 2013 while extolling the significant achievements the country has recorded in national development and expressing his nation’s strong desire to strengthen the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation with Vietnam.

President Plevneliev also hailed the Vietnamese community’s contributions to his country, describing them as a positive factor behind national development as well as the growth of bilateral ties.

The President pledged to back Bulgarian investors in expanding investment in Vietnam, primarily in energy, waste water treatment, pharmaceuticals, food processing, science-technology, and tourism.

He also called for Vietnamese investments in Bulgaria’s seafood processing sector, noting that his nation has advantages like low land price and labour cost and offers incentives for foreign investment.

Regarding bilateral cooperation, the two sides underlined the need to promote regular delegation exchange at all levels and closely work on joint activities celebrating the 65th anniversary of diplomatic ties next year as well as increased cooperation in various fields.

Host and guest supposed that bilateral trade and investment cooperation still remain far below their  countries’ full potential, which could be utilized effectively once the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement (VEFTA) is signed.

Collaboration in education and training is a priority in bilateral partnership, they said, vowing to create the best possible conditions for student exchanges.

The two leaders also concurred to enhance mutual support at regional and international forums, especially the United Nations and the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEAM).

On the same day, Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan visited Vietnam Embassy staff and met with Vietnamese community representatives in Bulgaria.