Vietnam has proposed the Finnish Government push ahead with the negotiation on and signing of a visa exemption agreement for diplomatic passport holders of the two countries.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Vu Hong Nam (R) and Under-Secretary of State at the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs Pirkko Hamalainen.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Vu Hong Nam delivered the proposal at a meeting with Under-Secretary of State at the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs Pirkko Hamalainen in Hanoi on November 20.

He told the guest that the Vietnamese Government has issued a resolution on unilateral visa exemption for Finnish tourists, which takes effect until December 31, 2019.

In turn, Vietnam hopes Finland will create all favourable conditions for Vietnamese nationals to enter the host country.

The Finnish diplomat took note of the proposals and promised to submit them to the Finnish Government for thorough consideration.

Highlighting the sound friendly relations between the two countries, the two sides expressed their hope to further bilateral cooperation across fields of their advantages such as education, trade, investment, the environment, and energy.

They also signed an agreement allowing relatives of staff of diplomatic representative agencies, consulate offices, and permanent delegations to have paying jobs in each country.

HCM City leader receives Cuban foreign trade minister

Ho Chi Minh City will provide Cuban investors with all possible conditions to do business and exchange experience in economic development in the city, pledged Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Le Hoang Quan.

Quan received a delegation from the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment, led by Minister Rodrigo Malmierca Diaz, on November 20.

He said the Cuban guests’ visit demonstrated comradeship between the two Parties and States.

He said believed Cuba will achieve greater successes in its socio-economic development and made significant progress in national building and protection under the leadership of its communist party and government.

The working trip of the delegation to Vietnam would open up new opportunities for cooperation, particularly in investment, he noted.

For his part, Minister Rodrigo Malmierca Diaz said Cuba always treasures relations with Vietnam and hopes to boost bilateral trade and economic cooperation.

The delegation had attended the workshop on investment promotion in Cuba in the City earlier the same day with the hope of seeking partnership and investment opportunities, he said.

Cuba has made significant step forwards in economy and external affairs, the minister stated, suggesting Vietnam’s enterprises to invest in Cuba, especially the Special Economic Development Zone of Mariel where they are offered a wide range of preferential policies.

VNA