Vietnam President receives US, Panamanian, Qatar ambassadors

Hanoi, December 17 (VNA) - President Truong Tan Sang on December 16 received newly-accredited ambassadors from the US, Panamanian and Qatar who presented him their credentials. Meeting US Ambassador Theodore G. Osius III, the President stated that Vietnam attaches much importance to the implementation of bilateral high-level agreements and do its utmost to realise them. He expressed hope that the two sides will continue removing obstacles in bilateral cooperation as well as in negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement. President Truong Tan Sang thanked the US House of Representatives’ resolution on the East Sea , opposing China “nine-dash line”. He affirmed that Vietnam always welcomes US parliamentarians to visit the country. The State leader also lauded the US ’s move to open its door for a number of Vietnamese agricultural products from 2015, saying that this will be a momentum for promoting economic and trade ties between the two countries. The US ambassador said President Barack Obama highly values ties with Vietnam. He thanked Vietnam for backing the Fulbright programme in Vietnam, suggesting that the country continue supporting English teaching activities here. He said he hopes both sides will continue their joint efforts for the early conclusion of TPP negotiations. The 20th anniversary of the normalisation of bilateral relations in 2015 will be a good chance for Vietnam and the US to boost partnership, he added. During a meeting with Panamanian Ambassador Servio S. Samudio B, President Truong Tan Sang said the two-way trade of 200 million USD has yet to match both sides’ potential, suggesting the two countries work harder to raise it to a more impressive number. The ambassador said Panama will increase State visits to Vietnam, and hopes to receive more Vietnamese Party, State and Government leaders as well as businesses to the country. Receiving Qatar Ambassador Abdulla Bin Ibrahim Abdulrahman Al Hamar, the State leader said sound political relations will enable the two countries to implement joint projects effectively, especially the Long Son refinery project in Vietnam’s southern Ba Ria-Vung Tau province. Acknowledging Qatar’s proposal on tripartite cooperation, he suggested that Qatar open a centre to introduce its culture and give vocational training in order to help Vietnamese workers understand about the country. The ambassador said Vietnam can serve as a gateway for Qatar to access a third country in the region.-VNA