On the afternoon of June 20, NA Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong and his delegation arrived in Sofia, beginning their official friendship visit to Bulgaria at the invitation of Bulgaria’s NA Chairman, Bungay Pirinski.

Mr Trong and his delegation were welcomed at Sofia International Airport by the Vice Chairman of Bulgarian’s National Assembly Liubien Kornezvop, staff from the Vietnamese Embassy in Bulgaria and representatives of the overseas Vietnamese community in Bulgaria.

The same day, Mr Trong received representatives from the Bulgaria-Vietnam Friendship Association. Speaking on their behalf, Simeon Dim Chev, Chairman of the Association expressed great pleasure at seeing Vietnam’s positive development in recent years, which has helped to raise the country’s international position in the wake of its entry into the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

Regarding the Association’s future activities, Mr Chev said, “We are very interested in economic cooperation in order to help businesses from both countries, create links and seek business opportunities.  In addition, cultural, educational, scientific and technological cooperation is also our area of interest. We expect to launch a Vietnam Culture Week in Bulgaria and a Bulgaria Culture Week in Hanoi in the near future.”

The Vietnamese legislative leader acknowledged the Bulgarian people’s good sense and their effective and practical assistance given to the Vietnamese people.

Mr Trong asked the Association to help strengthen the time-honoured friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

Later, Mr Trong visited staff from the Vietnamese Embassy in Bulgaria where he praised their spirit of solidarity with their home country.

Bulgaria is a good friend and Vietnam always treasures friendship with Bulgaria. Bulgaria’s EU membership and Vietnam’s WTO membership will provide favourable conditions for both countries to cooperate more effectively in their integration processes, stressed Mr Trong.

Mr Trong expressed the hope that all embassy staff as well as overseas Vietnamese in Bulgaria will continue to reinforce solidarity and make a greater contribution to national development.

On June 21, Mr Trong and his delegation visited a number of localities and economic establishments in Bulgaria.