~ Le Viêt Nam, aujourd'hui. ~
The Vietnam News

[Year 1997]
[Year 1998]
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[Year 2000]
[Year 2001]

Spanish PM to visit Vietnam next week

HANOI - Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar will make an official visit to Vietnam next week to boost economic and trade ties between the two countries, the Foreign Ministry said Thursday. Aznar will be the first Spanish prime minister to visit Vietnam since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1977. Aznar, who arrives in Hanoi Monday, will have talks with Vietnamese Prime Minister Phan Van Khai and pay courtesy calls on Communist Party General Secretary Le Kha Phieu and President Tran Duc Luong during his two-day visit, a Foreign Ministry official said.

The two sides are expected to sign several agreements, including a $135 million aid package from Spain and a memorandum on economic, scientific, cultural and educational cooperation, the official said. The Spanish Institute Cervantes and the Hanoi Foreign Language College will also sign an agreement to set up a Spanish teaching center in Hanoi, the ministry said. Aznar originally planned to visit Vietnam in October but postponed his visit because of separatist bombings at home. Two-way trade totaled $352 million last year, with Vietnam exporting mainly garments, textiles and footwear. Spain doesn't have any direct investment in Vietnam.

Associated Press - January 11, 2001.