Croatian President backs ties with Viet Nam

Croatian President Zoran Milanović made the above statement during his reception for Vietnamese Vice President Vo Thi AnhXuan on October 10 who is on an official visit to Croatia from October 9-11 at the invitation of Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic.

At the meeting, Zoran Milanović emphasized the significance of the visit, which was made by the first Vietnamese senior leader since the two nations established diplomatic ties in 1994. 

He expressed hope that the visit will create a strong impetus for both countries to promote their traditional friendship more intensively, substantively and effectively.  

Croatia voiced support for the European Commission (EC) to soon remove the "yellow card" on Vietnamese seafood exports, he stated, adding that the nation is willing to share experience on sustainable aquaculture with Viet Nam. 

For her part, Vo underscored that Viet Nam always attaches importance to and expects to strengthen the traditional friendship and cooperation in all spheres with Croatia. 

She took the occasion to express thanks to Croatia for donating 60,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses to Viet Nam in late 2021. 

Vo thanked Croatia for backing negotiations and signing the EU-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement, which has created new opportunities for the two countries to promote cooperation, particularly in such areas as maritime economy, agriculture, food processing, logistics and clean energy.

Vo welcomed Croatia's support for the EC to soon lift the "yellow card" on Viet Nam's seafood.

Both sides vowed to enhance delegation exchanges at all levels, especially high-level ones, and agreed on measures to promote cooperation in economy, trade and investment as well as other potential sectors including tourism, transport, education and training and sports. 

Vice President Vo conveyed Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc's invitation to the Croatian President to visit Viet Nam at an appropriate time and the latter gladly accepted the invitation./.