Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - El Salvador's embassy office officially openedin Hanoi on February 15, the first for the Central American country inSoutheast Asia.

The opening ceremony was attended by El Salvador’s Minister of Foreign AffairsAlexandra Hill Tinoco, Vietnam’s Foreign Deputy Minister Ha Kim Ngoc andhigh-ranking guests from both countries.

In her opening speech, Tinoco said: "El Salvador recognises Vietnam'sleadership and its potential to develop solid cooperation ties in fields ofmutual interest.”

“In this new stage of El Salvador's history, we have a very clear image of thetype of country we want to inherit to current and future generations,” shesaid.

“At the centre of our government policies, the well-being of the Salvadoranpopulation is always present. Hence, by way of this Embassy, we will seek toexpand our relations with Vietnam, identifying mechanisms for the mutualexchange of technical assistance and cooperation."

The El Salvadoran Foreign Minister said that her country recognises the recentsocio-economic achievements that Vietnam has obtained, its commitment tosafeguarding regional stability, and its open attitude to new markets andglobalisation as a whole.

“Vietnam's efforts in the implementation of macro-economic policies, financialstability, and ways to address external challenges are common elements to ElSalvador, too,” she said.

Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Ngoc, in response, admitted that despite thegeographical distance between the two countries, Vietnam and El Salvador arevery close to each other, sharing the same aspirations for independence,freedom, and peace, and a heroic history of struggle for national independenceand development.

“Vietnam pursues a foreign policy of 'diversification and multilateralisationof external relations', in which Vietnam is 'a friend with all countries’, andalways attaches importance to the unity and traditional friendship withimportant friends and partners in Latin America,” Deputy Foreign Minister Ngocsaid.

He noted that Vietnam has diplomatic relations with all 33 countries in LatinAmerica.

He added that in the 13 years since the establishment of diplomatic relationswith El Salvador, the two countries have effectively utilised the politicalconsultation mechanism and offered each other cooperation and support atmultilateral forums, especially at the United Nations.

“The economic, trade and investment relations between the two countries remainmodest,” Ngoc said. “There remains enormous untapped potential for bilateralcooperation, especially in such areas as agriculture, tourism,science-technology, and energy.”

The El Salvador embassy is located on the 11th floor of the Capital PlaceBuilding, No 29 Lieu Giai street, Ngoc Khanh ward, Ba Dinh district./.