Fiji hopes to further strengthen its diplomatic relations with Vietnam 21 years after the two countries established formal diplomatic ties.
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola met with Vietnam's outgoing Non Resident Ambassador, Nguyen Hong Cuong in Suva today and told him of Fiji's interest to further develop the two countries' bilateral relations so that it could have concrete outcomes.
Ratu Inoke said Fiji was considering having a Non Resident Ambassador in Vietnam.
He said this would ensure that the country was represented in Vietnam.
Ambassador Cuong, based in Wellington, made a farewell call to Ratu Inoke before he returns to Vietnam at the end of his three year posting.
Ratu Inoke briefed Ambassador Cuong of Fiji's preparation towards elections.
He wished Ambassador Cuong well and hoped that his successor would assist in furthering the relation between the two countries.
Ambassador Cuong informed Ratu Inoke that Vietnam recognised Fiji as the hub of the Pacific and it appreciated its Look North Policy.
He hoped that the two countries would turn their cooperation into something concrete in the near future.
He said that during his three year term, he had tried his best to promote Fiji to Vietnam.
At the same time, Ambassador Cuong requested the Fijian Government to recognize Vietnam as a market economy, which would assist them greatly when trading with the European Union.
Fiji and Vietnam established formal diplomatic relation in 1993.
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