President Tran Dai Quang hosted a reception for visiting Slovak Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini, during which he showed his delight at the growing ties between the two countries in all fields, including politics, diplomacy, trade, investment, as well as at bilateral and international forums.



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President Tran Dai Quang (R) welcomes Slovak Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini



He noted that the years of 2016 and 2017 marked a breakthrough progress in bilateral relations with the Vietnam visit by Slovak Prime Minister Reobert Fico and the Slovakia trip by Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue.

The President expressed his belief that with a series of signed agreements, the relations between the two sides will enter a new flourishing stage.

Holding that two-way trade has yet to meet expectations, he proposed that the two countries enhance the efficiency of the Inter-Governmental Committee on economic cooperation, while increasing exchanges among ministries, sectors, localities and businesses, thus promoting trade and investment collaboration.

Quang also suggested that the two sides work closely to implement the signed agreements, consider the resumption of cooperation in labour, and strengthen affiliation in education and training.

He pledged to create optimal conditions for Slovak firms to invest in Vietnam, especially in energy, infrastructure, environmental protection and food safety.

He also thanked the Slovak Government for supporting the Vietnamese community in the country.

On the occasion, he invited President Andrej Kiska to visit Vietnam.

For his part, Slovak Deputy PM Pellegrini said that he and his entourage had fruitful working sessions with leaders of the Vietnamese Government, ministries and sectors, which are expected to lay foundation for the growth of Slovakia-Vietnam relations in the future, not only in politics but also in economic cooperation, trade and investment.

Slovakia will give safest and most favourable conditions to foreign investors, including those from Vietnam, he said, expressing his hope that Slovakia will become a gateway for Vietnamese products to enter the European market.

He said that in the coming time, Slovakia will appoint Le Hong Quang, who is the current Charge d’affaires of Slovakia to Vietnam, as the ambassador to Vietnam.

Pellegrini also vowed that the Slovak Government will give best conditions for Vietnamese citizen living in the country.

He told his host that on the occasion of Deputy PM Vuong Dinh Hue’s visit to Slovakia in September this year, the Slovak Government built and inaugurated a bronze plate in Home Saliby town of Trnava province where President Ho Chi Minh visited 60 years ago.

Deputy PM: Vietnam develops ties with Slovakia


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Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue (L) shakes hands with his Slovak counterpart Peter Pellegrini (Photo: laodong.vn)



Vietnam always attaches importance to consolidating and developing its relations with traditional countries, including Slovakia, Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue told his Slovak counterpart Peter Pellegrini during their talks in Hanoi on November 27.

Both said they are pleased with recent progress in bilateral ties, particularly economic and trade cooperation. In the first nine months of 2017, two-way trade hit 671 million USD, up 92 percent from last year.

The officials agreed to improve effectiveness of the Vietnam – Slovakia joint committee on economic cooperation, promote trade – investment exchanges, and create favourable conditions for Vietnamese and Slovak firms to form partnerships and carry out market studies.

They also consented to strengthen engagements across defence – security, culture, education – training, and science – technology. 

Hue took the occasion to thank the Slovak Government for its assistance given to Vietnamese expatriates in the European country, saying he believes the community would help foster the two nations’ friendship and collaboration.

The Deputy PMs talked with delight about effective bilateral coordination and support at international forums.

For his part, Peter Pellegrini, who is on a visit to Vietnam from November 25 to 28, spoke highly of the achievements Vietnam has made in the renewal process as well as its increasing international position and role.

He affirmed that his country considers Vietnam a traditional friendly partner and wants to boost collaboration with the Southeast Asian nation in various fields.

Slovakia backs the growth of Vietnam – EU ties as well as the signing and ratification of the EU-Vietnam free trade agreement, he added.

Regarding the East Sea issue, both host and guest highlighted the necessity to settle disputes by peaceful measures, including diplomatic and legal processes in line with international laws, particularly the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS).


Vietnam, Slovakia promote economic cooperation

Vietnam and Slovakia need to hold more trade exchanges, increase multi-channel information dissemination and encourage businesses to establish representative offices in each country, according to participants to a Vietnam-Slovakia business forum.


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Vietnam and Slovakia need to hold more trade exchanges, increase multi-channel information dissemination and encourage businesses to establish representative offices in each country. (Photo: baodautu.vn)


The event, held on November 27 in Hanoi, was organised by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency.

According to Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade, two-way trade between the two countries has jumped 40 times since 2004. Last year’s bilateral turnover increased by 52 percent compared to 2015, reaching 449 million USD. In the first 10 months of 2017, the figure hit about 630 million USD, up 80 percent against the same period last year, making Slovakia one of the most important trade partners of Vietnam in the Central and East Europe.

Vietnam’s primary exports to Slovakia include footwear, clothing, seafood, industrial machines and electronic equipment while the country mostly imports mechanical products, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals.

Speaking at the event, Slovak Deputy Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini said trade opportunities between the two countries remain significant but reality has not yet matched potential. He also said Slovak businesses have expressed interest in investing in Vietnam in mechanical engineering, energy, construction materials, and environmental works.

Currently, Slovakia has nine FDI projects in Vietnam with total investment capital of 247 million USD, ranking 36th among 128 countries and territories investing in the nation.

On the other side, Vietnam has only one ongoing project in Slovakia by the FPT corporation with total investment of 447,000 USD. In addition, TH True Milk is also planning to invest in projects concerning herbal drinks.

Pellegrini also believed that the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement, once ratified, would “open up a new chapter in the two countries’ relations”.

“We are ready to support Vietnam and make Slovakia a gateway for Vietnam to access the EU market”, he said, adding that the Slovak government is committed to making ideal conditions for Vietnamese businesses investing in Slovakia.

Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Hoang Quoc Vuong reiterated the two governments’ dedication to boosting ties. He also hoped businesses from the two countries would find opportunities during this forum to collaborate.


VNA