Hanoi (VNA) – President Nguyen Xuan Phuc onAugust 1 suggested Vietnam and Greece foster cooperation in such areas aseducation-training, maritime transport, national defence, labour, agriculture,people-to-people exchange and collaboration between localities.

At a reception for Greek Foreign Minister NikolaosDendias in Hanoi, the President thanked Greece for its gift worth 50,000 EUR tothe Vietnam Olympic Committee, and its donation of 250,000 doses of COVID-19vaccine in late 2021.

Vietnam always keeps in mind Greece’s goodsentiments and valuable support during the Southeast Asian nation’s strugglesfor national independence and reunification as well as the present cause ofnational construction and development, Phuc said.

He appreciated the sacrifice of Greek Hero ofthe Vietnam People's Armed Forces Kostas Sarantidis, also known as Nguyen Van Lap,and expressed his delight to know that the hero’s remains have been brought toVietnam as he wished.

Noting with pleasure positive developments of the Vietnam-Greecerelations, the leader viewed Greek President Katerina Sakellaroupoulu’s visitto Vietnam last May as a hallmark in the bilateral ties, contributing toincreasing mutual understanding and facilitating mutually beneficial development.

Ample room remains for economic cooperation,especially at a time when the two economies have benefited from the EU-VietnamFree Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement(EVIPA), Phuc noted.

For his part, Dendias conveyed regards and wishes ofPresident Sakellaroupoulu to President Phuc.

Greece attaches importance to Vietnam’s role andposition in the region, and backs Vietnam in its efforts to enhance the partnershipand comprehensive cooperation with the EU, he affirmed.

The two countries should continue their effective coordinationand mutual support at multilateral and international forums, the FM continued.

Regarding the East Sea issue, he emphasised Greece’ssupport for Vietnam’s and ASEAN’s stance on settling disputes by peacefulmeasures in line with international law, particularly the 1982 United NationsConvention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS), contributing to maintainingpeace and development in the region and the world.

Phuc used the occasion to thank the Greek Governmentfor their support to the Vietnamese community in the host country, especially during the COVID-19spread, and welcomed Greece’s idea to build a monument of late President Ho ChiMinh in Greece./.