(VOVworld)- Bulgaria’s President Rosen Plevneliev is on a 4-day state visit to Vietnam at the invitation of President Truong Tan Sang. During talks in Hanoi on Monday, the two Presidents discussed the new model for economic cooperation which would elevate bilateral ties to a strategic partnership. They agreed to facilitate the two countries’ businesses and investors in seeking cooperation opportunities, especially in infrastructure development, urban planning, public transport, energy efficiency, environmental protection, food processing, water resource management and irrigation, the main potential areas. President Plevneliev said that Bulgaria supported Vietnam’s stance on resolving disputes through peaceful means and in line with international law. Bulgaria respects and hopes to heighten its traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation with Vietnam.

Following the talks, the two leaders held a press conference on the outcome of their talks. President Sang highly appreciated the results saying that the fine traditional friendship between the two countries was the prerequisite to elevating their bilateral ties in the new era:“Under the Bulgarian President’s initiative, we discussed the new model for economic cooperation to elevate our relationship to strategic partnership in the near future. According to this model, Vietnam will export its agricultural, fishery and light industrial products to Bulgaria for further processing and then sell these products in Bulgaria and other European Union countries. We agreed to assign the relevant ministries and sectors to study the feasibility of this model. We strongly believe that it will contribute to enhancing trade and economic cooperation between the two countries in the near future”.

On the same day, the two Presidents issued a Vietnam-Bulgaria Joint Statement affirming their intention to increase senior delegation exchanges and boost bilateral cooperation in various areas. Under the Joint Statement, both sides agreed to promote delegation exchanges at all levels in areas of mutual interest. Vietnam and Bulgaria agreed to strengthen and diversify economic and trade cooperation, and to facilitate Vietnamese and Bulgarians living in their respective countries to serve as a bridge linking the two countries.

They emphasized the UN’s central role in maintaining world peace and security, promoting economic progresses and social integration as well as coping with global threats and challenges. Both agreed to strengthen cooperation at the UN and other multi-lateral forums on regional, international and security issues and support each other to gain a membership at international forums and organizations. Bulgaria supported ASEAN’s central role in maintaining peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region as well as the bloc’s efforts to build an ASEAN Community by 2015. Vietnam was ready to support Bulgaria in strengthening their relationship with ASEAN and its member countries.

On the same day, the two Presidents approved the new model for economic cooperation and witnessed the signing of cooperative documents in science, technology, information sharing and the maritime industry.

The visiting Bulgarian President was received separately by Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong and National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung on Monday in Hanoi.