VietNamNet Bridge – State Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan has expressed hope that Vietnam and Greece will work closely together at the UN and other international forums.

During her courtesy visit to Greek President Karolos Papoulias in Athen on May 31, Vice President Doan reaffirmed Vietnam’s policy of tightening ties with Greece, through regular exchange of delegations at all levels to promote economic, trade, and investment cooperation to full advantage.

The Vice President said she is confident that Greece will overcome its difficulties on the way to development and prosperity.

The Greek President expressed his warm sentiments towards Vietnam and late President Ho Chi Minh and spoke highly of the achievements that the Southeast Asian nation has gained in the past struggle for national independence and the current process of national construction and defence.

He said he is very confident about effective cooperation between Greece and Vietnam in all fields to meet their people’s expectations.

** Earlier the same day, Vice President Doan chaired a Vietnam-Greece Business Forum, which was attended by hundreds of enterprises from the two countries.

Under numerous agreements signed between the two countries, two-way trade has seen significant development with Vietnam exports to Greece rising 40 percent in 2011 and imports from the European country experiencing a fourfold increase against previous years.

She said Vietnamese and Greek businesses should strengthen their cooperation, especially in the fields of maritime, agriculture, seafood, handicrafts, food processing, textile and garment, tourism, health care, and education and training.

Foreign businesses operating in Vietnam, including those from Greece, are considered an indispensable part of the national economy and will have the chance to penetrate a market of nearly 90 million people - one of the world’s most dynamic economies, she said.

Ms Doan added that Vietnam is trying its best to create a favourable and transparent environment for foreign investors.

VietNamNet/VOV