(VOVworld) – Slovakia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajcak began a 2-day official visit to Vietnam on Tuesday at the invitation of Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh.

During talks, the two sides agreed to increase delegation exchanges and foster cooperation at global and regional forums, particularly the UN and ASEM. The Slovak Foreign Minister said Slovakia had ratified the Vietnam-EU Partnership Cooperation Agreement and supported the completion of negotiations on the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement. Both sides agreed to increase two-way trade and investment by Slovak businesses in Vietnam in the areas of infrastructure, railway, renewable energy, environmental technology, food processing, pharmaceuticals, and medical equipment. They agreed to continue implementing the mechanism of the Vietnam-Slovakia Joint Governmental Committee for Economic Cooperation. They also discussed global and regional issues of mutual concern including the East Sea. After talks, the two diplomats witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Environmental Protection and Water Resource Management between Vietnam’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and Slovakia’s Ministry of Environment.  

Later the same day, the Slovak Foreign Minister was received by President Truong Tan Sang, who said negotiations on the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement would open new opportunities for both sides. Lajcak said that Slovakia was willing to share its experience with Vietnam in economic reform and hoped that the two countries would establish a strategic partnership.