Major outcomes of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's visits to three European nations
VGP - Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his entourageleft Stockholm for Ha Noi on June 13, successfully concluding tour to three European countries.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his spouse leave Stockholm for Ha Noi on June 13, successfully concluding their working trip to three European countries - Photo: VGP
Pham attended the third United Nations Ocean Conference in France and pay official visits to Estonia and Sweden from June 5-14.
According to Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son, the trip was a great success, yielding important and substantive outcomes.
Firstly, political trust has been strengthened. It marks the first official visit by the Prime Minister of Viet Nam to France since the two countries upgraded their relationship into a comprehensive strategic partnership in October last year.
It is also the first visit to Sweden by a Vietnamese Prime Minister in six years, and the first time a senior Vietnamese leader has visited Estonia since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1992.
These milestones reflect Viet Nam's strong commitment and high expectations for reaching "new and higher levels of cooperation" in its comprehensive strategic partnership with France, as well as its traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation with Sweden and Estonia.
Senior leaders from these countries hailed Viet Nam's role and position, expressed their appreciation, and conveyed their desire to maintain the positive momentum of relations, while further strengthening and deepening ties with Viet Nam.
Through these relationships, Viet Nam aims to foster broader and deeper cooperation with the European Union (EU) and enhance its role as a bridge between the EU and the Indo-Pacific region.
Secondly, the trip brought a new wave of vitality to traditional cooperation frameworks.
In terms of economy, trade and investment, the leaders expressed strong determination to effectively implement and tap into the potential of bilateral cooperation, and maximize the benefits of the EU-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) in a bid to enhance the autonomy and resilience of each side and raise two-way trade turnover to levels commensurate with each country's potential.
Additionally, the two sides reached a high level of consensus on major cooperation directions in various fields, including security and defense, energy, infrastructure, education and training, culture, sports, tourism, people-to-people exchanges, and local-to-local linkages.
Thirdly, the tour helped shape new cooperation frameworks in emerging sectors where the European countries have strengths and Viet Nam has growing needs.
Through this visit, Viet Nam and Sweden established a strategic partnership in science, technology and innovation. Both France and Estonia affirmed their readiness to cooperate with Viet Nam in digital transformation, innovation, green economy, and circular economy by sharing experiences, best practices, and technological solutions in the near future.
Fourthly, Viet Nam made a significant mark by actively participating in the UNOC 3 through proactive and constructive engagement and contributions.
The Vietnamese Prime Minister co-chaired the Deltas of the World Summit and delivered a keynote speech on behalf of 10 ASEAN member states at the plenary session of the UNOC 3.
Viet Nam was among the countries making the highest number of voluntary commitments with 15 in total on issues related to ocean governance. These commitments reflect the country's strong dedication and comprehensive actions toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Many senior leaders from other countries and international organizations expressed support for Viet Nam's viewpoints and proposals, and acknowledged the nation's notable achievements in developing a sustainable maritime economy.
Finally, throughout the Prime Minister's meetings and engagements, Viet Nam and its partner countries reached a shared understanding on the importance of maintaining a peaceful, secure, and stable environment in each region, as well as on the peaceful settlement of disputes based on the United Nations Charter and international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
This consensus also reflects the strong interest, support, and close cooperation of these countries with Viet Nam on regional and international issues of mutual concern on the basis of upholding and respecting international law.
With a packed schedule of 84 activities, it can be affirmed that the Prime Minister's three-nation tour helped renew and deepen bilateral relations between Viet Nam and these countries, serving the interests of all sides and contributing to peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world at large./.
