Countries' help remembered

HA NOI — Viet Nam had not forgotten the great assistance provided by Poland, Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, the Czech Republic and Slovakia through its struggle for independence and socialism, said Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Sinh Hung yesterday.

He made the statement at a celebration of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Viet Nam and the Central European countries.

Hung said the event was of great significance as it coincided with other important national events such as the 35th anniversary of liberation of the south, the 65th anniversary of National Day and the 1,000th anniversary of Thang Long-Ha Noi.

Representing the six countries, Bulgarian Ambassador Vassilev Georgi. Georgi expressed his pleasure with the development of diplomatic relations, friendship and co-operation between Viet Nam and their countries over the past 60 years, adding the countries had boosted mutual understanding and confidence.

He also expressed his pride in the thousands of Vietnamese who studied in the European countries and had gone on to make great contributions to the country's development.

Hung concluded by extending gratitude from the Vietnamese Government, Party and people to the people of the six countries for their assistance over the years. — VNS