Hanoi (VNA) – President Nguyen Xuan Phuc hosted separate receptions inHanoi on June 23 for out-going Ambassadors of Saudi Arabia, Israel andAzerbaijan to Vietnam.

Receiving Saudi Arabian Ambassador Saud F.M AlSuwelim, the leader spoke highly of his guest's contributions to strengthening the two countries’friendship and multifaceted cooperation for the past over three years.

He thanked the Saudi Arabian Government for assistingVietnam in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and in improving the life ofpeople in disadvantageous areas.

The President also suggested the two sides continue promotingall-level delegation exchanges, facilitating each other’s export, increasingthe efficiency of existing cooperation mechanisms, and strengthening ties inthe fields of tourism, culture, education and training, and labour.

Ambassador Saud F.M AlSuwelim said that Saudi Arabia iscurrently implementing a support package for developing countries, includingVietnam, and has assisted the construction of infrastructure in the northernmountainous province of Yen Bai.

A lot of Saudi Arabian companies want to do business inVietnam and hope for early reconnection after the pandemic is controlled.

As two countries always help each other in the internationalarena, he expressed his wish that Vietnam will support his nation in itscandidacy to host the 2030 World Expo.

Welcoming Israeli Ambassador Nadav Eshcar, the VietnamesePresident said that during his working tenure in Vietnam, the two nations’multifaceted cooperation has seen important development steps. Notably, two-waytrade hit 1.88 billion USD last year, up nearly 80% compared to that in 2017.

As the two sides will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties next year, he asked theiragencies to have plans to organise specific programmes and events. He alsourged both sides to speed up negotiations on their free trade agreement (FTA) andanother on labour cooperation, and intensify collaboration in science andtechnology.

For his part, the Israeli Ambassador showed his delight thatnegotiations on the Vietnam-Israel FTA are in the final stage.

During his meeting with Azerbaijani Ambassador Anar Lachinoglu Imanov, President Phuc appreciated the diplomat's contributions to the two countries’ties over the past nine years.

Vietnam always attaches importance to its traditionalfriendship and multifaceted cooperation with Azerbaijan, he affirmed, proposingboth sides step up the exchange of all-level delegations to enhance mutualunderstanding.

Anar Lachin Oglu Imanov said the bilateral relationsare developing well in various aspects.

More than 5,000 Vietnamese people living in Azerbaijan arebridges promoting the bilateral ties in the coming time, he added./.