(VOVworld) – Friendship between Vietnam and Slovenia and Croatia has flourished recently, said their foreign ministries at a meeting this week that marked 20 years of diplomatic ties between them.

The Vietnamese delegation, headed by Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son, and representatives from Slovenia and Croatia outlined their country’s socio-economic development and exchanged suggestions for closer ties. The two countries applauded Vietnam’s socio-economic achievements, international integration, and greater role in Southeast Asia, and expressed hopes for expanded multi-faceted cooperation after their EU admission.

Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son meets with representatives from Slovenia and Croatia. (Photo: VOV)

Vietnam, Slovenia, and Croatia agreed to step up delegation exchanges at all levels and cooperation at multilateral forums like the UN, the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), and ASEAN-EU. The two countries expected the EU’s early approval of a comprehensive partnership and cooperation agreement with Vietnam and the completion of bilateral free trade agreement negotiations by the end of the year.

Slovenia and Croatia hailed the potential for bilateral cooperation with Vietnam in trade, investment, agriculture, shipbuilding, sea transportation, ports, healthcare, defense, education, tourism, and bomb and mine clearance within the framework of the UN and the European Union. The three countries agreed to provide favorable conditions for businesses to seek partners, expand markets, and step up negotiations on a double taxation avoidance agreement.

Regarding the East Sea, Slovenia and Croatia expressed concern about the current tensions caused by China’s illegal placement of an oil rig in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone. They praised Vietnam’s restraint and backed the stance of EU members on settling all disputes peacefully based on international law, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).