Vietnam President to Meet Pope during Europe’s Visit Dec 9-19: Spokeswoman

President Nguyen Minh Triet will meet Pope Benedict XVI during his working trip to three European countries Italy, Spain and Slovakia from December 9-19, Spokeswoman of Vietnam’s Foreign Ministry Nguyen Phuong Nga said.

Communist Vietnam and the Vatican have not set up the bilateral diplomatic ties yet though the two sides have exchanged high-ranking visits

The upcoming visit to the Holy See by President Triet is aimed at discussing measures to reinforce the bilateral relationship which the Vietnamese spokeswoman said has recently been progressing well.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung conducted a landmark visit to the Holy See in 2007. Also in December of that year, Catholics began a series of demonstrations over seized land, AFP said.

Earlier this year, a senior Vatican official held the first formal meetings with Vietnamese authorities in Hanoi to discuss diplomatic ties.

Pope Benedict XVI recently wrote in a message sent to the Jubilee year, recalling the testimony of the 117 martyrs and urging the faithful to take advantage of this time to promote reconciliation and to bring the Gospel values of charity, truth, justice and honesty to the nation.

The Vietnamese spokeswoman also said President Triet’s upcoming visit is at the invitations of Spanish King Juan Carlos, and his Italian and Slovak counterparts Giorgio Napolitano and Ivan Gasparovic.

Triet is expected to meet with leaders of the European countries to discuss measures to boost the economic, trade and investment ties as well as deal with effects of the global economic downturn, Nga noted. (www.mofa.gov.vn)

Tags: Vietnam Europe cooperation