Welcoming the guest, who is on an official visit to Vietnam, the host cited Kostas Sarantidis (Nguyen Van Lap), a Greek-born hero of the People's Armed Forces of Vietnam, as a poignant symbol of this solidarity.

To foster more substantive and effective bilateral cooperation, Minister Trung urged both nations to step up delegation exchanges at all levels, particularly high-profile visits. He proposed closer coordination and mutual backing at multilateral forums, highlighting Greece's role as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2025-2026 term.

The Vietnamese diplomat underscored the need to maximize existing cooperation mechanisms, strengthen business-to-business links, and expand partnerships in high-potential sectors including shipping, logistics, renewable energy, culture, tourism, and science-technology. Both sides should also expedite outstanding pacts to establish a solid legal framework for trade in maritime transport, labor, and double taxation avoidance.

Minister Trung highly appreciated Greece's positive assessment of Vietnam's efforts to lift the European Commission's "yellow card" warning on seafood exports. He requested Athens continue advocating for the EC to remove this restriction promptly while encouraging remaining EU member states to ratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA).

FM Trung  affirmed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stands ready to assist Greece in organizing an upcoming business delegation to Vietnam for market research and investment promotion.

In response, the Greek foreign minister lauded Vietnam's socio-economic achievements and its growing international stature.

He noted that Greece is prepared to act as a gateway for Vietnam into Europe, adding that Athens wishes to deepen bilateral ties as part of its broader policy toward the Asia-Pacific region.

Gerapetritis agreed that both ministries should serve as core focal points to coordinate and implement cooperation contents, while maintaining regular exchange and consultation mechanisms. Thanking Vietnam for opening its market to Greek kiwifruit, he urged both sides to examine and expedite agreements to bring other signature Greek products to the Vietnamese market."

He affirmed his readiness to boost locality-to-locality connections, sign cooperation documents, and establish a direct flight route between the two nations, while enhancing partnership in maritime affairs, port management, and science-technology. He also proposed exploring shipbuilding joint ventures and agreed to facilitate favorable conditions for the Vietnamese community in Greece to live and work, thereby leveraging their role as a bridge for bilateral relations.

Turning to regional and global issues, the two officials shared extensive views on matters of mutual concern, agreeing to bolster coordination at the UN and within the ASEAN-EU framework to support  multilateralism and international law.

Host and guest  concluded by reaffirming the critical importance of maintaining peace, stability, security, safety, and freedom of navigation and aviation. They jointly urged for the resolution of disputes through peaceful means in strict compliance with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982).

Greece looks to stronger labour cooperation with Vietnam

VOV.VN - Vietnam and Greece are stepping up discussions on labour cooperation as both sides move toward a labour cooperation agreement to facilitate the employment of Vietnamese workers in Greece.

Government leader urges stronger maritime, economic ties with Greece

VOV.VN - Prime Minister Le Minh Hung hosted Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis in Hanoi on the afternoon of July 17, calling for both nations to strengthen business connections and expand cooperation in maritime economy and shipping.