Austrian President Heinz Fischer and his wife paid an official visit to Vietnam from May 29-31, 2012 at the invitation of State President Truong Tan Sang and his wife. The official visit aimed at fostering the friendship and multilateral cooperation between Vietnam and the Republic of Austria. It also marked the 40th anniversary of establishing bilateral diplomatic ties between the two countries (December 1, 1972 – December 1, 2012).
During his official visit to Vietnam, President Heinz Fischer talked with State President Truong Tan Sang, paid a courtesy visit to Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and met with Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung.
Children in Hanoi warmly welcome Austrian President Heinz Fischer and his wife. Photo: Nguyen Khang-VNA
State President Truong Tan Sang and President Heinz Fischer view the honour guard at the welcoming ceremony. Photo: Nguyen Khang-VNA
State President Truong Tan Sang talks with his Austrian counterpart. Photo: Trong Duc-VNA
State President Truong Tan Sang and President Heinz Fischer witness the signing ceremony of the memorandum of understanding in tourism. Photo: Nguyen Khang-VNA |
On the occasion of the Austrian President’s visit, Vietnam and Austria signed some cooperative documents, including a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in industry, trade and energy between the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Austrian Federal Ministry of Economy, Family and Youth and another in tourism between the Vietnamese Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Austrian Federal Ministry of Economy, Family and Youth; a cooperative agreement between the Vietnamese Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber and some documents of the Austria’s ODA project providing Vietnam with healthcare, vocational training and preventing and fighting fires.
During their talk, the two countries’ leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation at multilateral forums and international organizations, especially the United Nations. The two leaders also highly appreciated positive development in bilateral economic, trade and investment relations. The two-way trade turnover exceeded 630 million USD in 2011, doubling the 2010 figure. They emphasized the need to speed investment cooperation and create favourable conditions for the two countries’ businesses to invest in each other’s markets.
Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong receives Austrian President Heinz Fischer. Photo: Tri Dung-VNA
Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung meets with Austrian President Heinz Fischer. Photo: Duc Tam-VNA
National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung meets with Austrian President Heinz Fischer. Photo: Nhan Sang-VNA |
The two sides applauded the Vietnam-Austria Business Forum held in Ho Chi Minh City and agreed to strengthen cooperation in some aspects such as infrastructure, transport, new energy, healthcare and the environment.
The two countries agreed to increase the exchange of high ranking visits for developing the bilateral relationship and strengthen coordination in organizing activities both in Vietnam and Austria to mark the 40th anniversary of founding diplomatic ties between the two countries.
Austrian President Heinz Fischer addresses the Vietnam-Austria Business Forum. Photo: Thanh Vu-VNA
Austrian President Heinz Fischer visits the War Evidence Museum in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Thanh Vu-VNA
Austrian President Heinz Fischer visits the Vietnam History Museum in Ho Chi Minh City: Photo: Thanh Vu
The Austrian President visits Xa Loi Pagoda in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Thanh Vu-VNA
President Heinz Fischer visits Sai Gon University. Photo: Hoang Hai-VNA
President Heinz Fischer lays a wreath at the Monument to Heroic Martyrs. Photo: Trong Duc-VNA. |
During the visit, Austrian President Heinz Fischer and the delegation’s members laid a wreath at the Monument to the Heroic Martyrs, attended the Vietnam-Austria Science-Education Forum, and visited cultural works in Ho Chi Minh City.
The visit not only marks the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries, but also ushers in a new period of bilateral cooperation. It is an important landmark of the traditional and fruitful relationship between the two nations.
Compiled by Long Nguyen - Photos: VNA