President Truong Tan Sang (R) receives Chilean Ambassador Claudio Anderes De Negri Quintana in Ha Noi yesterday. — VNA/VNS Photo Nguyen Khang

Receiving new Chilean Ambassador Claudio Anderes De Negri Quintana, the president said Viet Nam continually bore in mind Chile's support for the country during its struggle for independence.

The deal has created a foundation for the two sides to push bilateral trade up 60 per cent to around US$1 billion, President Sang said.

The Chilean ambassador said the two countries should increase co-operation in culture and tourism to help their people understand the respective countries' histories.

Welcoming Danish Ambassador Charlotte Laursen, the president said he was impressed by sentiments from the Danish Queen, Royal family members and people towards Viet Nam.

The leader held that since the establishment of a comprehensive partnership, Viet Nam and Denmark had seen strong development in economic and trade ties. Denmark's official development assistance (ODA) had been effective in the Southeast Asian country, he said.

Laursen said the two countries set up a strategic partnership in climate change, the environment, energy and green growth.

The ambassador stressed Denmark's advantages in agriculture, energy, climate change and education which, she said, were expected to boost co-operation between the countries.

In his meeting with DPRK Ambassador Kim Myong Gil, Sang affirmed Viet Nam's special attention to relations with traditional friends, including the DPRK.

He expressed his wish that during his tenure the diplomat would co-ordinate with Vietnamese ministries and branches to seek co-operation opportunities in strong areas.

Kim Myong Gil congratulated Viet Nam on its socio-economic achievements and noted his hope that the upcoming 12th Congress of the Communist Party of Viet Nam would be a success.

While receiving Sri Lanka Ambassador SaranyaHasathiUrugodawatteDissanayake, the State leader said Viet Nam would forever remember Sri Lanka's support during the country's struggle for national liberation. He voiced his hope that the countries would hold more high-level meetings.

The guest said the reopening of embassies in the respective countries has lifted the two countries' relations to a new height.
At a meeting with Turkish Ambassador AkifAyhan, Sang affirmed that Viet Nam attached importance to co-operation with Turkey.

Trade rose from $1.5 to $3 billion in recent years, he said, noting Viet Nam stood ready to negotiate a bilateral trade agreement with Turkey to raise the figure to $5 or $10 billion.

Both host and guest shared viewpoints on activities that would mark the 40th anniversary of founding bilateral diplomatic ties in 2018, as well as cultural and tourism exchanges.

The Turkish ambassador pledged to help boost and diversify bilateral ties, saying he hoped Viet Nam would continue helping Turkey become an ASEAN partner and that the countries would soon commence negotiations on a free trade agreement to enhance trade ties.

VNS