Sophia (VNA) – National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong stressed that Vietnam always attaches importance to relations with the EU, including Bulgaria , saying that his visit aims to boost long-time ties between the two countries and parliaments in the interest of both sides.

Chairman Trong made the statement when meeting with Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov in Sophia on June 23.

The NA Chairman thanked the President for his fine sentiment towards Vietnam and the country’s achievements in the current renovation process. The Vietnamese people have always followed every step of development made by Bulgaria and have fine sentiment towards the Bulgarian people, Chairman Trong stressed.

President Georgi Parvanov emphasised Bulgaria ’s long-time friendly and cooperative relations with Vietnam , expressing his hope that the relationship would continue to develop in the new situation on the basis of the two sides’ potentials, advantages and interests.

The Bulgarian President stressed the important role of the two national assemblies in boosting the two countries’ friendship and cooperation. He highly appreciated the role of the Vietnamese community in Bulgaria and the large contingent of those Vietnamese who studied and worked in Bulgaria in development of Vietnam-Bulgaria ties.

The same day, Chairman Trong and Bulgarian National Assembly Chairman Georgi Pirinski attended the Vietnam-Bulgaria business forum.

Speaking at the forum, Chairman Trong said Vietnam always places importance to strengthening and developing the traditional friendship and cooperation with Bulgaria . He spoke highly of the role of businesses in promoting the two countries’ economic, commercial and investment ties, and hoped to welcome increasing number of Bulgarian businesses to Vietnam . He said he encouraged Vietnamese businesses to cooperate with Bulgarian partners.

The Chairman said that over the past decade, Vietnam has continually obtained high economic growth rate of 7-8.5 percent per year, and 82 foreign countries and territories have invested in more than 9,000 projects in Vietnam with a total registered capital of over 100 billion USD.

Vietnam has established trade ties with more than 220 countries and territories, and obtained a total import-export value of more than 100 billion USD with an annual growth rate of 20 percent, Chairman Trong said. He expressed his hope that through the forum, Vietnamese and Bulgarian businesses will set up long-time relations and find opportunities for their effective investment cooperation.

For his part, Chairman Pirinski hoped that both sides will promote cooperation in economy, trade and investment, contributing to socio-economic development in the two countries.

He said he hoped businesses of the two sides will actively contribute to increasing trade and investment between the two countries and urged relevant authorities of the two sides to create favourable conditions for cooperation and trade between businesses of the two countries.

Earlier, Chairman Trong and his delegation laid a wreath at the Monument of Unknown Soldiers .

The same day, the Vietnamese NA delegation was received by Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev.

In the evening, Chairman Pirinski hosted a banquet in honour of Chairman Trong and other Vietnamese distinguished guests.

Earlier on June 21 and 22, Chairman Trong and his delegation visited former capital Veliko Tarnovo and Kazanluk city.