State President Truong Tan Sang has emphasized that the Panamanian President’s visit to Vietnam in 2012 ushered in a new period of relations between Vietnam and Panama. At a June 24 reception for outgoing Panamanian ambassador to Vietnam Antonio Young Virzy in Hanoi, President Sang praised the ambassador’s contributions to developing bilateral relations especially in economic and trade cooperation. Sang said he hopes Young Virzy will continue paying attention to cooperation between the two countries after ending his term in Vietnam and suggested that both sides should further cooperate in potential areas like trade, navigation, fishery, shipbuilding and agriculture. He also spoke highly of the two countries’ efforts to conclude double taxation avoidance agreement negotiations soon. The two countries should continue considering the signing of more cooperation documents aiming to bring two-way trade to a higher level, Sang said. The Panamanian diplomat said his nation is very interested in stepping up stronger cooperation with Vietnam, noting that the country is ready to cooperate with Vietnam in infrastructure development and the maritime industry. Panama has so far recognized Vietnam’s market economy and both countries also signed an agreement on economic and trade cooperation which was adopted by the Panamanian Congress, thus providing an important foundation for bolstering wider economic cooperation. Panama wants to cooperate with Vietnam in infrastructure, maritime industry and agriculture, Ambassador Antonio Virzy said, pledging his best efforts to contribute to bilateral ties in the future. VOV