site.btaUPDATED Vietnam Is Trusted and Important Partner in SE Asia, President Says

"Vietnam is a trusted and important partner in Southeast Asia, with which we are connected by relations of sincere friendship and mutual respect that have a rich history spanning over seven decades," President Rumen Radev said on Monday at the beginning of his meeting here with the National Assembly Chairman of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Vuong Dinh Hue, who is visiting Bulgaria at the invitation of his Bulgarian counterpart Rosen Zhelyazkov.

"We are proud that from the 1960s to the 1980s, nearly 30,000 Vietnamese citizens received education at our higher education institutions or professional qualifications in Bulgaria, and they contributed to building a modern Vietnam," the Bulgarian head of State said. According to him, this is a very good basis on which to build a genuine and effective strategic partnership in various areas of mutual interest.

The visit is an important step in strengthening the traditionally friendly relations between Bulgaria and Vietnam in the direction of building a strategic partnership by reinforcing dialogue at a high political level, Radev said. 

"We are particularly impressed by the high economic growth you have maintained for years," the President said. The intensified political dialogue in recent years is an important prerequisite for intensifying bilateral economic relations in a number of areas such as energy, industry, high-tech agriculture, tourism, medicine, pharmaceuticals, information technologies, Rumen Radev further said. 

Bulgaria is among the first ten countries to establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam, Vuong Dinh Hue said at the start of his meeting with President Radev. According to the guest, the two countries have enjoyed traditional friendly relations for 73 years already.  

Vuong Dinh Hue said his country will never forget the valuable help it received from the Bulgarian people in its fight for national liberation and unification. He extended an invitation to President Rumen Radev to visit Vietnam.

Vietnam highly values Bulgaria’s role as one of the most important countries on the Black Sea, and as a bridge between Europe and Asia. The goal of this visit is not only to enhance relations between the two countries’ national assemblies, but also between the state leaders, the governments, parties and local regions, the guest further said.

Vuong Dinh Hue said he had a very successful plenary discussion with the Bulgarian Parliament’s Chair, Rosen Zhelyazkov.