Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh hosteda reception in Hanoi on May 23 for Slovenian Deputy Prime Minister and Ministerof Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon.

PM Chinh spoke highly of the results of the talks between theSlovenian official and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son, and her meeting with Ministerof Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien, as well as the Vietnam-Sloveniabusiness in Ho Chi Minh City.

The PM noted his belief that Fajon’s official visit toVietnam from May 22-23 will contribute to advancing the traditionalfriendship and good cooperation between the two countries across spheres.

Vietnam always attaches importance and wishes toenhance the multi-faceted cooperation with Slovenia, one of its traditionalfriends in Central-Eastern Europe, he affirmed.

For her part, Fajon expressed her impression for Vietnam’s socio-economic achievements, and stressed that Slovenia wants tofoster its cooperation and traditional friendship with Vietnam, a leadingimportant partner of Slovenia in the region.

PM Chinh rejoiced at the positive development of thebilateral ties over the past time, and suggested the two sides increase the exchange of all-leveldelegations, especially in 2024 when they mark the 30th founding anniversaryof the bilateral diplomatic relations.

The host leader emphasised that despite COVID-19 impactslast year, the bilateral economic and trade cooperation still maintained itsgrowth pace, with two-way trade value hitting a record of over 570 million USD,up 15% from 2021.

He suggested Slovenia further facilitate the access ofVietnamese products like electronics, garments-textiles, farm produce andaquatic products to the Slovenian and EU markets.

The PM used the occasion to call on Slovenia to soonratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) and urge theEuropean Commission (EC) to soon remove its "yellow card" warningagainst Vietnamese seafood.

Fajon affirmed that with the good traditionalfriendship as the foundation, Slovenia wishes to deepen its relations withVietnam in different spheres, stressing the Slovenian government highly valuesVietnam’s advantages in terms of market, workforce and business environment, aswell as the fact that both nations support free trade.

Slovenian firms are interested in and wish for result-orientedcooperation with Vietnam, as reflected through the big number of Slovenian companies that havecome to the Southeast Asian nation on this occasion to seek cooperation,investment opportunities, she continued.

The host and guest shared the view that the two countriesneed to strengthen cooperation at multilateral and regional forums, and worktogether in response to global challenges like climate change, and energy and foodcrises.

Regarding the East Sea issue, they emphasised the importanceof ensuring security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea, and settling disputes by peaceful measures in line with international law,especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

PM Chinh also called for Slovenia’s further support forthe Vietnamese community in the country, thus contributing to the long-standingfriendship between the two nations./.