VietNamNet Bridge – State President Truong Tan Sang separately received the newly appointed ambassadors of Belgium, Germany, Finland and Luxembourg, who presented their credentials in Hanoi on October 5.

While receiving Belgian Ambassador Bruno Angelet, President Sang expressed delight at the continuous development of bilateral ties in all fields, despite global economic crises.

With a two-way trade of 1.2 billion USD, Belgium remains Vietnam’s sixth largest export market in the EU, he said.

Applauding the operations of the Vietnam-Belgium Joint Committee for Economic Cooperation and the signing of the Vietnam-Belgium Indicative Cooperation Programme (ICP) in the 2011-2015 period, the State leader affirmed that Vietnam is ready to serve as a bridge for relations between ASEAN and the EU and Belgium in particular.

Ambassador Bruno Angelet affirmed that the Belgian government considers Vietnam a priority in its development and cooperation policy. He expressed belief that during his term of office, he will actively coordinate with Vietnamese ministries and agencies to elevate the multifaceted cooperation between the two countries.

At a separate reception for German Ambassador Klaus Wundelich, President Sang said he is pleased with the friendship and effective cooperation between Vietnam and Germany, especially when the two sides are actively preparing for the visit of German Chancellor Angela Merkel this month.

He spoke highly of Germany’s support for Vietnam during its renewal and international economic integration processes and expressed gratitude for maintaining the provision of official development assistance (ODA).

The German Ambassador conveyed his impressions of Vietnam’s socio-economic development and wished he could contribute to bringing Germany-Vietnam relations to a new height.

Meeting Finnish Ambassador Kimmo Lahdevirta, President Sang expressed his thanks to the Finnish Government and people for their valuable support and assistance to Vietnam in the past and at present.

President Sang highly appreciated the Finnish ODA commitment to Vietnam in future years, which focuses on poverty reduction, forestry, clean water and environmental hygiene.

Ambassador Kimmo Lahdevirta said that Finland always attaches importance to boosting the traditional friendship and cooperation with Vietnam.

Receiving Luxembourg Ambassador to Thailand and Vietnam , Marc Thill, President Sang expressed his pleasure at recent achievements in the two countries’ relations.

He said that while ranking fourth among EU investors in Vietnam, Luxembourg enterprises should continue to seek further investment opportunities in metallurgy, transport and financial services.

Ambassador Marc Thill expressed his belief that with great potential of both sides, Luxembourg and Vietnam would successfully cooperate and assist each other in many fields.

VietNamNet/Vietnam Plus