Hanoi (VNA) – Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh said he hoped Vietnam and Hungary will make all efforts to boost bilateral cooperation in economy, trade and investment on a par with the two countries’ potential.

While receiving the Hungarian President Solyom Laszlo in Hanoi on May 16, the Party General Secretary said the visit by the Hungarian State leader demonstrated the traditional friendship and fine cooperation between the two countries and two peoples.

Vietnam always places importance on its relationships with traditional friends, including Hungary, the Party leader affirmed. He also thanked the Hungarian government for assisting the Vietnamese community in Hungary .

The Hungarian President said Hungary will do its best to further the friendly relations and cooperation in trade, health, education and environment between the two countries.

He said he was pleased to visit Vietnam and witness the country’s dramatic changes during its renovation process, and he praised Vietnam’s achievements and experiences, and its prestige and position in the region and in the world.

In another meeting between President Solyom Laszlo and National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong, the President said Hungary considered Vietnam an important partner.

He said he hoped Vietnam would act as a bridge linking Hungary and other Asian countries.

NA Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong said the Vietnamese legislative body wanted to further exchanges and cooperation with the Hungarian counterpart.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung also had a meeting with Hungarian President Laszlo Solyom on May 16, and spoke of Vietnam desire’s to strengthen cooperation with Hungary , especially in trade, pharmacy, education and training and tourism.

The Hungarian President’s visit to Vietnam is a milestone to lift the two countries’ ties to a new height, the PM said.

According to PM Dung, Vietnam-Hungary two-way trade turnover reached nearly 90 million USD in 2007, a year-on-year increase of 53 percent, however, it did not match the potential and strength of the two countries. The visit will contribute to improving bilateral cooperation in many aspects, PM Dung said.

He also reiterated that the Vietnamese government will create favourable conditions for Hungarian investors to run their business in Vietnam .

The PM thanked Hungary for giving 50 million USD as official development assistance (ODA) capital to Vietnam , providing a preferential loan for the construction of a hospital in the Mekong Delta and offering scholarships for Vietnamese students to study in Hungary.

During his busy working-day in Vietnam , the Hungarian President also attended a roundtable workshop on climate change jointly held by the Ministry of Environment, Foreign Ministry and the Hungarian Embassy in Vietnam .

President Solyom Laszlo affirmed Hungary willingness to cooperate with Vietnam in dealing with climate change-related issues.