Vietnam and Bulgaria should expand their ties through different channels, including party, parliament, government and people-to-people exchanges, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong said. The Party leader made the statement at his meeting in Hanoi on Monday with visiting Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev, during which he also urges the two sides to work closer together to fulfill their reached agreements.

General Secretary Trong also thanked the Bulgarian Government for creating favorable conditions for the Vietnamese community in Bulgaria, and expressed his hope that Bulgaria will act as a bridge linking Vietnam and the European Union.

In reply, Plevneliev said he is impressed by the significant achievements Vietnam has gained after nearly 30 years of the renewal cause, which has helped Vietnam enhance its position in the region and the world. The Bulgarian President expressed his pleasure at the sound relationship between the two countries, considering it a firm foundation for both sides to further bolster their multifaceted cooperation.

He said Bulgaria attaches much importance to its ties with Vietnam and supports the free trade agreement that Vietnam is pursuing with the EU. The same day, the Bulgarian President was received by National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung, who affirmed that Vietnam will try its best to promote the relations with the parliament and people of Bulgaria for further mutual understanding between the two nations.

The Bulgarian leader confirmed with Chairman Hung that his country attaches much importance to the relations with Vietnam, through which it can expand its relations with other Southeast Asian countries.

Also on Monday, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung hosted a reception for the Bulgarian guest, during which he said Vietnamese people always bear in mind the precious and effective help that Bulgaria gave Vietnam during its past struggle for national independence as well as its current national construction.

For his part, President Plevneliev said Vietnam and Bulgaria should further promote activities in economics, trade, investment, education and training, and people-to-people exchange.