Macedonia and Vietnam have much advantages in the field of economics, but the bilateral cooperation has yet to match the two countries’ potential, President Truong Tan Sang has said.

Sang made the remarks at a reception for visiting Macedonian Foreign Minister Nikola Poposki in Hanoi on November 12.

The President thanked Macedonia for supporting Vietnam ’s struggle for national liberation, stating that the good relationship of the past is basis for the two nations’ growing bilateral cooperation in the future.

He expressed his hope that the visiting foreign minister will work with Vietnam ’s agencies to sign agreements soon, paving the way for the acceleration of economic and trade ties.

The leader asked for support from Macedonia for Vietnam’s member elections to some UN organisations.

Nikola Poposki informed President Sang of the outcome of the talks between him and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh, saying that the two sides are preparing to sign some cooperation agreements in the fields of culture, economics, education and investment.

He highly valued Vietnam ’s investment attractiveness, adding that Macedonia is willing to welcome foreign investors, including those from Vietnam .

Earlier the same day, Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh held talks with his Macedonian counterpart.

At the talks, Minh said Poposki’s visit is an important milestone to consolidating and promoting the traditional friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

Minh said Vietnam considers developing friendship and cooperation with traditional friends, including Macedonia , highly important.

For his part, Minister Poposki said Macedonia wants to restore, expand and strengthen the traditional friendship with Vietnam .

The two sides maintained that the economic-trade cooperation between both countries is modest, but agreed on measures to further enhance the cooperation between Vietnam and Macedonia .

They said the first step is to accelerate the signing of agreements on economic cooperation and investment, as well as establishing direct relations between enterprises through business forums and between the two chambers of commerce and industry.

Vietnam is willing to act as a conduit for Macedonia ’s goods to enter ASEAN countries. Likewise, Macedonia will act as a gateway for Vietnamese goods, especially rice and coffee, to enter the Balkan market.

They also agreed to speed up education-training cooperation by considering the signing of a bilateral agreement and building specific programmes to receive each nation’s students

VNA