Assessing that there is still significant room for developing the relationship between Vietnam and Greece, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung requested that both sides increase delegation exchanges and contacts at all levels, especially high-level ones.
He emphasized the need to effectively leverage existing cooperation mechanisms, promote economic, trade, and investment ties, and efficiently exploit the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).
He made the remarks in a reception for visiting Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece, Mr. George Gerapetritis, on July 17.
The two countries need to enhance business connectivity and expand cooperation in areas where Greece has strengths, such as the maritime economy, seaports, shipping, logistics, shipbuilding, maritime human resource training, renewable energy, and science and technology, said PM Hung.
The Prime Minister affirmed that Vietnam is ready to create favorable conditions for Greek enterprises to explore the market and expand long-term cooperation and investment in Vietnam.
The Prime Minister expressed his hope that Greece would continue to have a positive voice in urging the remaining EU member states to soon ratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA). He also requested Greece's support for the European Commission to soon lift the IUU "yellow card" on Vietnamese seafood.
Furthermore, both sides should finalize the legal framework for cooperation, including documents and agreements on shipping, labor, and economics. They should also enhance cooperation in culture, education, heritage preservation, people-to-people exchanges, and local-to-local connectivity, while studying the possibility of opening a direct flight route between Vietnam and Greece.
Highly valuing Vietnam's development achievements, its increasingly important role in ASEAN, and the progress in Vietnam-EU relations, Minister George Gerapetritis affirmed that Greece attaches great importance to its relationship with Vietnam and is ready to act as a bridge to promote relations between Vietnam and the EU.
Agreeing with the Prime Minister's proposals, the Minister stated that Greece wishes to expand cooperation with Vietnam in trade, investment, maritime affairs, logistics, seafarer training, agriculture, tourism, and pharmaceuticals. He added that Greece would send a business delegation to Vietnam to seek cooperation and investment opportunities.
Greece also wishes to promote labor cooperation, increase student exchanges, and enhance cooperation in culture and archaeology. The Minister affirmed Greece's support for the EVIPA, the early removal of the IUU "yellow card," and the EU’s removal of Vietnam from the list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes.
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