Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc received outgoing Slovak Ambassador to Vietnam Igor Pacolak in Hanoi on September 11.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) and Slovak Ambassador to Vietnam Igor Pacolak

At the reception, PM Phuc praised contributions of the diplomat to the two countries’ traditional friendship and asked him to continue the work in future positions.

He stressed bilateral trade still falls short of potential, expecting it to double in the near future.

The PM told his guest about Deputy PM Vuong Dinh Hue’s upcoming visit to Slovakia from September 19 to 22, adding that the visit aims at securing agreement on measures to stimulate cooperation across sectors, particularly trade and investment.

Urging both sides to increase exchanges of senior officials and business delegations, Phuc affirmed that Vietnam will continue improving the local business climate and creating best conditions possible for Slovak investors.

He asked the Slovak side to further support Vietnam – EU comprehensive cooperation and partnership and sign a free trade agreement with Vietnam soon. 

Vietnam is willing to help Slovakia bolster affiliations with ASEAN and the bloc’s members, Phuc added.

Agreeing with the PM on fruitful relations in recent years, Ambassador Pacolak expressed his delight at the 30-fold increase of bilateral trade since Slovak reopened its embassy in Vietnam in 2008.

The diplomat took the occasion to thank the Vietnamese Government and Prime Minister for facilitating Slovak enterprises to do business and him to complete his mission in Vietnam.

VNA