Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung made the remark at a reception for visiting Serbian Foreign Minister Ivan Mrkic in Hanoi on February 28.

Dung affirmed that Vietnam always remembers the effective assistance from Serbia to the country during its national liberation and reunification in the past and construction and development at present, adding that Mrkic’s visit will contribute practically to strengthening the bilateral ties.

He asked the two sides to soon sign an agreement on encouragement and protection of investment and another on economic cooperation, as well as support each other at regional and international forums.

Mrkic congratulated Vietnam on its socio-economic achievements and affirmed that Serbia always attaches importance to boosting relations with Vietnam in all fields and hopes to continue receiving Vietnam ’s support at forums.

He said that Serbia also backs Dung’s suggestions and urged the two sides to sign a cooperation agreement on education-training