FM Minh hosts Greek ambassador

ABO/NDO – Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh hosted a reception for Greek Ambassador to Vietnam Ioannis E. Raptakis in Hanoi on May 16.

Deputy PM and FM Pham Binh Minh receives Greek Ambassador to Vietnam Ioannis E. Raptakis in Hanoi on May 16. (Photo courtesy to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs).

FM Minh congratulated the Greek ambassador on undertaking his official task in Vietnam, while urging him to actively work to promote the development of Vietnam’s relations with both Greece and the European Union (EU).

He affirmed that the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as the other relevant ministries and sectors, will create optimal conditions for the ambassador to fulfill his tasks.

The Deputy PM highly applauded the positive development of the Vietnam-Greece relations, saying that the two countries have been coordinating closely and supporting each other at multilateral forums and international organisations. Notably, bilateral trade has grown by over 20% in the past five years.

At the reception, the host also proposed measures to bolster the two countries’ cooperation in the future, including increasing high-ranking mutual visits, maintaining bilateral consultation mechanisms, proposing effective ways to boost bilateral trade, and promoting people-to-people and cultural exchanges.

For his part, Raptakis expressed his honour to work in Vietnam, adding that his country always attaches great importance to strengthening its relations with the Southeast Asian nation. The diplomat pledged to make further efforts to intensify the cooperation and friendship between Vietnam and Greece, as well as the relations between Vietnam and the EU, during his tenure.

He also affirmed that Greece would strongly promote the implementation of the EU-Vietnam Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation (PCA) and the ratification of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) to open up new prospects for bilateral trade and investment between the two sides in the near future.

(Source: NDO)