October 26 (BTA) - Bulgarian Vice President Iliana Iotova
 and the Vice President of Vietnam, Vo Thi Anh Xuan, discussed
their countries' traditionally good partnership in all spheres
and the possibilities for its promotion, the presidential press
secretariat said on Tuesday.

Vo Thi Anh Xuan is paying an official visit to Bulgaria at the
invitation of her counterpart Iliana Iotova. Last year, Bulgaria
 and Vietnam celebrated 70 years of diplomatic relations.

President Rumen Radev also welcomed the Vietnamese Vice
President at the Presidency. Radev, Iotova and Vo Thi Anh Xuan
had a joint meeting focused on the possibilities of deepening
and expanding the relations between Bulgaria and Vietnam.
Security and defence were highlighted as areas with high
potential for joint projects. The Vietnamese Vice President
invited the Bulgarian head of State to visit Vietnam.

Talks also focused on the long-standing traditions in the field
of education. Vo Thi Anh Xuan underscored her gratitude to
Bulgaria as a country and to its people for preparing thousands
of Vietnamese graduates, many of whom now hold senior government
 positions. These people contribute to the closer ties between
the two countries and peoples, she added. Iotova supported the
idea of resuming this tradition and expanding the opportunities
for student exchange.

The untapped potential in trade and economic relations was also
discussed at the meeting. Vo Thi Anh Xuan noted the positive 50
per cent growth in trade and economic relations this year.
Special attention was paid to Vietnam's opportunities for
investment in agriculture and cooperation in tourism was also
discussed.

The delegation led by the Vice President of Vietnam, includes
deputy ministers and business representatives. The President of
the Vietnam Women's Union, Ha Thi Nga, briefed Iotova on
government policies to support women and children in the context
 of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as on various programs aimed
at workers.

Vo Thi Anh Xuan paid her respects and laid a wreath at the
monument to the Unknown Warrior.

Later in the day, Vo Thi Anh Xuan conferred with Prime Minister
Stefan Yanev. "Bilateral relations between Bulgaria and Vietnam
are progressing and there is potential for their deepening. It
will be beneficial for both countries to look for opportunities
to expand areas of traditional interest for economic
cooperation", Yanev said, as quoted by the press center of the
caretaker cabinet.

In the course of discussion, the sides focused on the
opportunities for promoting trade relations between Bulgaria and
 Vietnam and on bilateral business contacts, which should have a
 favourable impact on investment.

Yanev hailed the foundamental agreements concluded in recent
years between the European Union and Vietnam, including the ones
 in the field of investment and trade, which make Vietnam a
model for the development of EU relations with the countries of
Southeast Asia.

The Vietnamese Vice President also talked with Foreign Minister
Svetlan Stoev, who said the two countries are trusted friends
but in the future will also be strategic partners, and the
bilateral relations will be based on mutual respect and trust.
He congratulated his guest on her elections as Vice President
and expressed satisfaction with the fact Bulgaria is her first
stop during her visit to Europe.

RY/YV



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