Tel Aviv (VNA) – The Embassy ofVietnam in Israel hosted a get-together in the coastal city of Tel Aviv onAugust 28 to celebrate the 73rd anniversary of Vietnam’s National Day (Sept. 2)and the 25th founding anniversary of Vietnam-Israel diplomatic ties (July 12).

Attended the event were Israeli governmentalofficials as well as representatives of the Vietnamese community andinternational friends.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Israel Cao Tran QuocHai highlighted the remarkable achievements that Vietnam has gained over thepast time.

He said the country had overcome a lot ofchallenges to maintain its annual average economic growth of 7 percent, thussignificantly improving the living standards of people, ensuring nationalsecurity, politics and social stability.

Vietnam has transformed from a food importer toa leading exporter in the world with key farm produce such as rice, coffee,aquatic products, cashew nuts, and pepper, he said, adding that many of theseproducts have become popular in Israel.

According to the diplomat, with the risingposition in the global arena, Vietnam hosted the Asia-Pacific EconomicCooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Meeting in 2017. The country had been selected bythe Asia-Pacific Group as the onlycandidate of the region to run for a non-permanent seat in the United NationsSecurity Council for the 2020-2021 tenure. To date, Vietnam has receivedsupport from many countries around the world for its candidacy.

In the future, Vietnam is committed to promotingcomprehensive international integration and establish closer economic linkswith all main partners, he said.

Regarding relations between Vietnam and Israel,the diplomat said the two sides have witnessed significant strides incooperation in various fields such as defence, security, trade, agriculture,science and technology.

Both countries have conducted high-leveldelegation exchanges, including the visits to Vietnam by Israeli PresidentReuven Rivlin in 2017 and President Shimon Peres in 2011.

Regarding economic cooperation, Israel hasbecome one of the leading economic partners of Vietnam in the Middle East withthe trade value surpassing 1 billion USD in 2017.

The ambassador believed that the bilateral tradeand investment relations will develop more rapidly in the coming years sincethe two sides are pushing ahead with negotiations on a bilateral free tradeagreement (FTA).

Vietnam is among countries sending the largestnumber of students majoring in agriculture to Israel, Hai said, adding that thebilateral cooperation in tourism is expanding with Vietnam being one of themost attractive destinations for Israeli tourists.

As a start-up nation with extraordinaryaccomplishments in technology and innovation, Israel could be an ideal partnerof Vietnam in promoting hi-tech industries, building start-up ecosystem, andtraining high-skilled workers and experts, he noted.

Israeli Minister for Regional Cooperation TzachiHanegbi congratulated Vietnam’s National Day and the 25th anniversary of theestablishment of Vietnam-Israel diplomatic ties.

He expressed his belief that the bilateralrelations will continue thriving in the coming time.-VNA