Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue’s trip to Slovakia from September 20-21 helped develop and reinforce friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Slovakia.

During his two-day visit, Hue met with Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico on September 21, during which he affirmed Vietnam attaches importance to relations with traditional friends, including Slovakia.

He proposed Slovakia promote ties between the European Union (EU) and Vietnam. 

PM Fico expressed his admiration for the Vietnamese people’s achievements in the cause of national building and development.

The two countries’ relations will develop sustainably based on the traditional friendly ties and shared common values, he said, adding that Slovakia supports the development of Vietnam-EU ties, including the signing and ratification of the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement.

The PM suggested increasing people-to-people exchanges to help young generations understand the long-standing relations between the two countries.

He also hailed the contributions of the Vietnamese community in Slovakia and affirmed Slovakia will create the best conditions for Vietnamese expatriates to integrate into the host society and preserve their national identity.

The same day, Hue attended a workshop on promoting Vietnam-Slovakia investment with more than 100 businesses in Slovakia and Central and Eastern Europe represented.

He highlighted the country’s socio-economic accomplishments, development plans and incentives to encourage investment in Vietnam.

There is a plenty of room and opportunity for Slovakian firms to make use of business and investment opportunities in Vietnam and vice versa, he said.

He called on Slovakian enterprises to invest in Vietnam in the fields of their strengths such as automobile and spare parts manufacturing, mechanics, industrial equipment, electronics, and infrastructure development.

The official introduced Vietnam’s processed farm produce, aquatic products, electronics, and high-quality consumer products, which are available for Slovakia’s 5.5 million customers. 

He noted that there are ample opportunities for Slovakia’s industrial products, mechanics, energy and food to access Vietnam, and then on to ASEAN and Asia-Pacific markets.

While meeting with some leading businesses in Slovakia on the sidelines of the workshop, Deputy PM Hue asked the Slovakian groups to invest in Vietnam.

He also exchanged information on potential investment projects in Vietnam such as hi-tech industry, electronics, renewable energy, hi-tech agriculture, and information technology.

At a meeting with representatives of the Vietnamese community in the Central and Eastern European region, including Slovakia, the Republic of Czech, Poland, and Hungary, Hue said he hoped the overseas Vietnamese will continue serving as a bridge to connect the two nations.

On the occasion, he and local residents attended a ceremony to inaugurate a bronze plate at the municipal administration building in Horne Saliby town, Trnava province where President Ho Chi Minh visited on July 18, 1957. 

Speaking at the event, Deputy PM Hue said the Vietnamese people always bear in mind sincere sentiments and valuable support of Slovakian people during the fight for national liberation and construction. 

He expressed thanks for Horne Saliby town and Trnava province for placing the bronze plate in remembrance of the late President 60 years ago. 

The Vietnamese delegation was treated with local traditional food and dances by children. 

At the municipal administration building, photos about President Ho Chi Minh’s visit and his autographs are stored in the traditional room, including a photo of Filova in white shirt presenting flowers to distinguished guests. 

Trnava is now home to more than 400 Vietnamese nationals. About 80km from Bratislava capital city, Horne Saliby town has 3,000 local residents and three Vietnamese families. 

VNA