(VOVworld)- An official welcoming ceremony for Bulgarian Prime Minister Plamen Vasilev Oresharski was held in Hanoi on Monday. The Bulgarian Prime Minister’s official visit is an opportunity for the two countries to enhance their friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation.
Bulgaria in 1950 became one of the first 10 countries to recognize and establish diplomatic ties with Vietnam. Since then, the two countries have steadily strengthened their friendship and long-term cooperation. Vietnam will always treasure Bulgaria’s invaluable material and spiritual support for its struggle for national liberation. In its policy of expanding and strengthening relationships with Asian countries, Bulgaria has paid special attention to boosting its relationship with Vietnam. The two have promoted their political cooperation through visit exchanges and close coordination at regional and global forums.
Firm foundation for Vietnam, Bulgaria ties
Vietnamese Ambassador to Bulgaria Le Duc Luu says the two countries share three similarities that ensure a firm foundation for bilateral ties: “First, Vietnam and Bulgaria occupy key geo-political areas in Southeast Asia and Southeast Europe. Vietnam can serve as a gateway for Bulgaria to boost relations with Asia and through Bulgaria Vietnam can further penetrate into the European market, especially in the Balkan region. Second, both governments are determined to boost bilateral cooperation and promote the peace and stability necessary for development. The Bulgarian government wants to strengthen cooperation with Vietnam and considers Vietnam an important partner. Third, both want to further international integration, peace and stability for further development. These similarities strengthen mutual trust between the two.”
Despite close political cooperation, economic cooperation between the two countries has not been fully exploited. Prime Minister Oresharski, in an interview with VOV prior to his visit to Vietnam, said that through this visit Bulgaria hopes to strengthen ties with Vietnam, a priority of Bulgaria’s foreign policy. Oresharski said:“The Ministers of Agriculture, Culture and Transport and a Deputy Minister of Economics will accompany me on my visit to Vietnam. The Ministers will sign a number of important documents with their Vietnamese counterparts. We will also be accompanied by several business representatives who, among many others, are interested in doing business in Vietnam. My visit is aimed at not only deepening political cooperation but also establishing a closer economic relationship between the two countries”.
Stepping up economic cooperation
Two-way trade between Vietnam and Bulgaria totals 70 to 80 million USD a year. The two countries are mapping out a new model for economic machinery cooperation based on each other’s strengths. Bulgaria is good at manufacturing, irrigation systems, farming techniques, food processing, chemicals and pharmaceuticals. Each year Bulgaria receives 8 to 10 million tourists, so Bulgaria can help train Vietnam’s tourism staff. Vietnam can also take advantage of Bulgaria’s high-quality educational system to train its officials and promote scholarship programs.
Vietnam and Bulgaria aim to make their friendship more practical and productive. The Bulgarian Prime Minister’s visit to Vietnam demonstrates a determination to achieve a breakthrough in bilateral ties.