Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc receives Israeli Ambassador to Vietnam Nadav Eshcar, October 7, 2020. (Photo: VGP)

Receiving Israeli Ambassador to Vietnam Nadav Eshcar in Hanoi on Wednesday, the Prime Minister said he is pleased with  the bilateral relationship development, especially in trade, agriculture, science-technology, and security-defense, which has made Israel one of important partners of Vietnam in the Middle East.

The Prime Minister said that when conditions permit, both sides will soon exchange delegations and conduct cooperation mechanisms such as the Joint Committee and Political Consultation between the two Foreign Ministries.

Vietnam and Israel should work harder increase the bilateral trade turnover by 2-3 times by 2025, according to Prime Minister Phuc.

Israeli businesses are encouraged to visit and attend exhibitions and fairs in Vietnam, while Vietnamese businesses are assisted in promotion activities in Israel, said Mr. Phuc. He added both sides need to speed up negotiations to sign the Vietnam-Israel Free Trade Agreement (VIFTA). Prime Minister Phuc suggested Israel support Vietnam in innovation and start-ups and he welcomed Israeli businesses to invest in and share experiences with Vietnam in this field.

The Prime Minister expressed his hope that Israel, which receives 635 agricultural trainees from Vietnam this year, will increase the admission of Vietnam's agricultural trainees.

Ambassador Nadav Eshcar expected the two sides to soon conclude the Free Trade Agreement and open a direct flight between Hanoi and Tel Aviv to bolster exchange, trade and investment between the two countries.