Your Excellency Secretary of State,

Excellencies Ambassadors and Representatives of the Diplomatic corps,

Distinguished guests and friends,

64 years ago, the 2 September 1945 was founded the Democratic Republic of Vietnam- Socialist Republic of Vietnam now. The Declaration of Independence proclaimed by Ho Chi Minh opened a new area to the Vietnamese people, the free and independent one.

But this event also marked the beginning of a very long and turbulent period in the contemporary history of Vietnam. Since this date, For preserving it’s independence and freedom, it’s unity, sovereignty and integrity the Vietnamese people has successively opposed two of the most long and cruel wars. For survive and progress in the path of national construction and development, and assure to the Vietnamese people happiness, prosperity, Vietnam must enterprise a radical reform in all aspects. At each vicissitude the Vietnam was victorious to became now a emergent country which presents most of potentials and became one of the most frequent destinations in the world in term of investments. 

In fact, since 1986, Vietnam launched it’s Renovation and obtained enormous achievements, in the economic field as well as in others. Vietnam has reached a growth rate of GDP annually near of 20% in the years 1990-2006. Given its political stability, sustained economic growth, Vietnam has consolidated its position in the international arena, contributing to the promotion of peace, security, and cooperation in the world. Vietnam is striving until 2010 to get out of low-developed status and by 2020, will basically become an industrial country upward into modernization.

With the consistent implementation of the foreign policy of openness, diversification and multilateralization,  Vietnam has well maintained its peaceful and stable environment in order to focus on socio-economic development. It’s relations with partners, especially with major powers and neighboring countries have positive and substantive developments. Vietnam is pushing forward its international economic integration, making use of important resources from outside for national development. The efforts made by Vietnam in foreign affairs has not only contributed to lifting its posture to a new height, ensuring its security and development, but also represented its responsibilities in strengthening the solidarity between Vietnam and other developing countries and people around the world in the struggle for peace, stability and prosperity

In this context of economic crisis, as other countries in development,   our economy also encounters impacts of the global financial and economic crisis to some extent. The Government has taken strong measures to reduce the impacts. Up to now, the situation is still under control and the macroeconomic stability is maintained. Our GDP growth in 2008 was 6.5%, and 3,5% in first semester 2009. We expect a GDP growth of 5% this year and Vietnam will shortly recover it’s dynamism. However, we will continue to follow closely the situation, take concrete measures to respond to potential impacts and sustain growth.We will accelerate the pace of reforms, modernization and industrialization, and integrate more into the region and the world.

Vietnam and Romania have a traditional relationship and multifaceted cooperation. Next year, our two countries will celebrate the 60^th anniversary of the establishment of our diplomatic relations. We are very delighted to see that the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam-Romania have grown strongly in all areas, politics, economic-trade, culture-education, health, humanitarian issues. In recent years, the Vietnam- Romania partnership has continued to grow. The annual trade turnover between our two countries increased from 10 millions USD in the period 1994-1999 to 50 millions USD in 2006 and 88 millions USD in 2008. Vietnam and Romania have cooperation potential in many aspects, their markets could complete themselves, but up to now ours two countries didn’t profit yet from their preponderance. We believe that with the strong determination and efforts of the two sides, we will lift the multi-faceted cooperation and strategic partnership to a new level for the benefits of the two peoples as well as for peace, progress and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific Region and the world.

However, we are fully aware that our trade and investment cooperation does not live up to potentials and desire of both sides. The recent official visit to the Romania by Vice-Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Pham Gia Khiem was a great success and marked an important milestone in our relationship, lifting our relationship to a new height has ended successfully, with particularly the signature of a new Agreement on the economic cooperation between two countries, creating new bilateral cooperation opportunities in various sectors, especially economic, commercial, education, science and technology, environment and humanitarian. This will be a good opportunity for the business community and peoples of the two countries to further cooperate for mutual benefits towards the prosperity of the two countries. Let us work hard to further enhance our friendly and constructive partnership, multifaceted cooperation on the basis of equality and mutual respect and mutual benefit.

We would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank the Romanian Government and people for the warm reception and hospitality accorded to. We also highly appreciate the efforts made by Your Excellency, Mr. Ambassador, the Embassy, non-government organizations, enterprises as well as individuals of the US in the strengthening of the bilateral ties between our two countries.

In addition, I take this opportunity to also thank most sincerely the other embassies and missions in Bucharest for the most helpful personal and professional co-operation, which you have extended to me and my colleagues at Vietnam embassy. May I look forward to further strengthen the friendship and close cooperation which so happily exist between our  countries and missions, for the sake of peace, cooperation and development in the world. 

In this cordial ambience today, may I invite all of you to join me in a toast:

- To the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Romania

- To the best of health of Your Excellency Secretary of State and all of you present here.