Vietnam, Macedonia urged to boost bilateral ties

President Truong Tan Sang made the remarks at a reception for visiting Macedonian Foreign Minister Nikola Poposki in Hanoi on November 12.

President Sang thanked Macedonia for supporting Vietnam’s struggle for national liberation, saying that the good relationship in the past provides a firm foundation for the two nations to increase bilateral cooperation in the future.

He said he hopes that the Macedonian FM will work with Vietnamese agencies on the early signing of cooperation agreements, paving the way for boosting bilateral economic and trade ties.

The two sides should open trade representative offices to create favorable conditions for provincial and municipal authorities and friendship organizations to strengthen mutual understanding, Sang said.

The Vietnamese President also asked Macedonia to support for Vietnam’s membership to some UN organizations.

Nikola Poposki briefed President Sang on the outcome of the talks with his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Binh Minh, saying that the two sides are preparing to sign some cooperation agreements on culture, economics, education and investment.

The Macedonian diplomat praised Vietnam’s investment attractiveness and said that Macedonia is willing to welcome foreign investors, including those from Vietnam.

At the talks with the Macedonian FM Poposki on the same day, FM Binh Minh said his visit represents a significant landmark in strengthening the traditional friendship and cooperation between the two nations.

Minh said Vietnam considers developing friendship and cooperation with traditional friends, including Macedonia highly important.

For his part, Minister Poposki said his country wants to expand and promote the traditional friendship with Vietnam.

The two FMs said that the economic-trade cooperation between both countries is modest, but agreed on measures to further enhance the cooperation between Vietnam and Macedonia.

They said the first step is to speed up the signing of agreements on economic cooperation and investment, as well as establishing direct relations between enterprises through business forums and between the two chambers of commerce and industry.

Vietnam is willing to act as a bridge for Macedonia’s goods to enter ASEAN countries. Likewise, Macedonia will act as a gateway for Vietnamese goods, especially rice and coffee, to penetrate the Balkan market.

They also agreed to step up education-training cooperation by considering the signing of a bilateral agreement and building specific programmes to receive each nation’s students.

FM Poposki invited Binh Minh to visit Macedonia and his invitation was accepted with pleasure.

The time of the visit will be arranged via diplomatic channels.