HCM City (VNA) - Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Nguyen Van Nen on November 27 held a meeting with Bulgarian President Rumen Radev, who is on an official visit to Vietnam at the invitation of his Vietnamese counterpart Luong Cuong.

Nen highlighted the significance of Radev’s trip to HCM City as serving as a great source of inspiration for the southern metropolis to effectively implement the Vietnam-Bulgaria Joint Statement.

According to Nen, for nearly 75 years, the traditional friendship, political trust, and cooperation between Vietnam and Bulgaria have developed extremely well. The Vietnamese Government and people always remember the tremendous support and assistance from international friends, including Bulgaria, to the country in its struggle for national independence in the past as well as national construction efforts at present.

HCM City is eager to strengthen cooperation with Bulgarian partners, and honoured to be chosen as the host for the Vietnam-Bulgaria Business Forum, Nen said, adding that this will be an important opportunity for businesses from the two sides to meet, exchange information, and explore potential cooperation opportunities.

He stressed that the municipal authorities will vigorously implement the joint declaration, as well as the proposed cooperation areas between HCM City and Bulgaria’s Sofia capital city. He expressed his hope that Radev will facilitate and promote cooperation between the two cities.

For his part, Radev said he was impressed by HCM City’s dynamism and economic development potential, expressing his belief that his trip to the city will produce positive results, contributing to the bilateral cooperation.

The Bulgarian leader affirmed that his country always values Vietnam’s strong economic development, treasures the traditional friendship with Vietnam, and considers the nation its leading partner in Southeast Asia.

Bulgaria hopes to step up economic cooperation with Vietnam, particularly in transportation, logistics, machinery and automobile manufacturing, shipbuilding, education - training, and agriculture, he stated.

After their meeting, Nen and Radev took part in the exchange of a Letter of Cooperation between HCM City and Sofia.

During his stay in HCM City, Radev attended the Vietnam-Bulgaria Business Forum, met with representatives of the Vietnam-B✱ulgaria Friendship Association of HCM City, and toured some local scenic attractions./.