Vienna (VNA) - President Nguyen Minh Triet and his entourage arrived in Vienna on June 2, beginning a State-level visit to Austria at the invitation of President Heinz Fisher.

After an official welcoming ceremony held in the afternoon at the Presidential Palace, President Triet and President Fisher held talks.

President Triet expressed his pleasure at the development of political and economic relations between the two countries, stressing the great potential for economic, commercial and investment cooperation in areas of Austria ’s strengths, including mechanical engineering, transport and communications, health care, banking and tourism.

The State President welcomed Austrian investors to have interest in Vietnam ’s potential market. He said that the two sides should take concrete measures to help the two countries’ businesses find partners.

President Triet expressed thanks to the Austrian government and people for their fine sentiments and valuable assistance to Vietnam ’s renewal process and national construction through development cooperation projects in the transport and communication, health care and education sectors.

President Heinz Fisher praised Vietnam for its achievements during the renewal process and spoke highly of its role in the region and the world, particularly after the Southeast Asian country gained a non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council.

He thanked Vietnam for its support for Austria ’s bid to become a non-permanent member of the Security Council in the 2009-2010 term.

The Austrian President affirmed that Austria will continue supporting Vietnam ’s renewal process. He said he believes that Vietnam , with its clear-sighted policies and determination, will make more important socio-economic achievements and actively contribute to peace, stability and development in Asia and the world at large.

The two leaders expressed pleasure at the two countries’ cooperation results. They discussed in-depth measures to boost multifaceted cooperation between the two countries, particularly in economics-trade, investment, education-training, healthcare, technology and environment.

They agreed to strengthen Vietnam-Austria cooperation in both bilateral and multilateral ties at international forums.

President Triet invited his Austrian counterpart to visit Vietnam . President Fisher accepted the invitation with thanks. The specific time for the visit will be arranged via the diplomatic channel.

The talks were held in a friendly, open and mutual understanding atmosphere.

Following the talks, the two state leaders witnessed the signing of cooperative agreements between the two governments, namely the agreement on double-taxation avoidance and tax evasion prevention and the agreement on tertiary diploma recognition.

On the evening of June 2, the Austrian President and his wife hosted a banquet in honour of President Triet, his wife and entourage.