The visit, made at the invitation of Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, is expected to include discussions on ways to further develop the 60-year bilateral relationship.

Since the establishment of the diplomatic ties in 1950, the bilateral relationship has witnessed regular high-ranking visits, with Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung visiting Poland in 2007.

The two countries have signed a number of agreements creating a legal framework for cooperation in the fields of culture, sciences, judicial support, investment protection, maritime transport, agriculture and rural development.

Poland is now Vietnam 's biggest trade partner in Eastern and Central Europe . The bilateral export turnover has increased sharply from 125 million USD in 2001 to 650 million USD in 2008.

Vietnam has witnessed an export surplus with key commodities including garment and textiles, agricultural products and food and major imports including formula milk, pharmaceutical products, steel and iron.

After supporting Vietnam during the country's two wars against France and the US , Poland recently provided Vietnam with 100 million USD in preferential loans and is now willing to continue providing another 260 million USD in the form of preferential loans for building and mineral mining projects.

The European country has helped Vietnam train experts to restore heritage sites in Hue , the Cham towers in Hoi An and the Cu Chi underground tunnels.

More than 4,000 Vietnamese students and 3,500 workers have been sent to Poland to study and for training, primarily in the building and coal mining sectors.

The Vietnamese community in Poland , which has about 3,000 people at the moment, is an important bridge between the two sides to develop their friendship and cooperative ties./.