Mr Mesic thanked the Vietnamese Party, the State and people for the warm welcome given to his entourage, expressing his delight at the country’s socio-economic achievements in the Doi Moi (Renewal) process. He also highlighted Vietnam’s prestige and position in the region and world area, stressing that Croatia attaches importance to developing traditional friendship and cooperation with Vietnam.

For his part, Party leader Manh considered the visit by Mr Mesic to Vietnam an important event to promote traditional friendship and multi-faceted cooperation between Vietnam and Croatia.

Party leader Manh thanked the people of the former Yugoslavia including those of Croatia for supporting Vietnam’s past struggle for national liberation and its current process of national construction and defence.

Mr Manh informed the Croatian President of Vietnam’s renovation process and future development as well as Vietnam’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance and openness in international relations.

Mr Manh affirmed that Vietnam always attaches importance to consolidating and developing friendship and cooperation with traditional friendly countries including Croatia. He also expressed his wish that bilateral ties will be further deepened in all fields as well as at international forums, especially the UN Security Council.

Earlier, the Croatian President held talks with State President Nguyen Minh Triẹt