Diplomat highlights significance of PM Pham Minh Chinh's visit to Poland

The Head of Mission made the announcement on the threshold of the official visit of Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to the Republic of Poland.

"The visit carries both symbolic and pragmatic levels," she said.

Firstly, the visit is of symbolic significance because this year the two countries are celebrating the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations (February 2, 1950 - February 2, 2025).

The Vietnamese Prime Minister is coming to Poland on the eve of the anniversary. It is important to underline that he is coming after 17 years from the last visit on that level. Poland and Viet Nam have maintained high level political relations over the past 75 years. It's especially important to see the Prime Minister visiting Warsaw in a couple of days.

Secondly, the visit is pragmatic because there is a huge potential already partly used of bilateral relations in economy, education, culture between the two countries. Poland and Viet Nam are important partners in many areas. The visit and people-to-people contact are important to maintain and to develop mutual understanding.

"Thanks to this understanding we can think about the further development of business ties," the diplomat said.

Business ties between our countries are the most prominent element of these bilateral relations. We already have a lot of Polish companies in Viet Nam and Vietnamese companies in Poland. The visit of that level always helps to boost this relations and boost business contacts.

Abundant opportunities for bilateral relations

The Head of Mission stressed that "the visit will present an opportunity for leaders of the two countries to talk about the bilateral relations and identify potentials and areas of mutual interest between our countries, how we can and where we can develop our relations".

Both Viet Nam and Poland have experienced long, rapid and uninterrupted economic growth in the past 30 years.

For Poland, it was really 30 years of economic boom since our systemic and economic reform 35 years ago. "So this is a very good moment for two vibrant and very dynamic economies to work closer together," Joanna Skoczek said.

"We also identify certain areas of common interest, such as energy transition, digitalization of public services, green energy. We also face the challenges related to demography, to labor markets. So there is a lot of things that we can exchange," the Head of mission added.

Poland is ready to share its know-how to help in capacity building in different areas.

A business forum will be held on the sidelines of the visit. So we will see the companies of both sides from energy sector, digital sector, mining, airlines.

Joanna Skoczek was convinced that these enterprises will have the opportunities to talk about concrete contacts.

"My hope is that this visit and the contacts started between the companies during the business forum will turn into economic negotiations," she said.

During the year, we will see contacts signed and growing trade exchange between our countries, more investment, reciprocal cooperation in this economic field. Especially as we approach this 75th anniversary. I think we will see a lot of activities of both sides.

We have a long tradition of educational exchange especially in the 70ths and 80s. Thousands of Vietnamese students came to Poland to study engineering, shipbuilding, mining. Now, they are coming to study management, economy, engineering, but also culture language. So, I believe there is a huge potential in this respect because having international students boost the understanding.

"People who study in a country and spend time in a country, they are becoming the messengers. And the platform for cooperation and mutual understanding. And mutual understanding is, for me, the key to cooperate better," she added.

And as a country of economic success, sixth biggest economy of the European Union, the 21st biggest economy of the word, Poland is ready to share its experience. But I think that we can learn from each other because Viet Nam also has a lot to offer as a country that is developing very rapidly and in a very orderly manner.

"It would help if we have a direct airline, direct flight connection. I hope that these very concrete elements will also be a part of the agenda of Prime Minister's visit and Prime Minister's talks to Poland," the diplomat said.

On the first of January Poland assumed six months presidency of the Council of the European Union.

"It means that we will also have the opportunity to influence the European policies including foreign policy and also to boost relationships between European Union and Viet Nam," she added.

Key activities to celebrate 75th anniversary

In 2024, the Polish Embassy in Viet Nam worked with the Embassy of Viet Nam in Poland to organize an international logo design competition for the 75th anniversary. There were 350 works from both Vietnamese and Polish artists. After a long deliberation, the winner is a Vietnamese graphic artist. The logo will be used throughout this anniversary year.

In addition, Vietnamese audience will have more opportunities than usual to learn about Polish culture, to listen to Polish music, to see Polish art, to get acquainted with Polish literature.

Last but not least, we will also have this opportunity to taste delicious Polish food because extraordinary cuisine is also something that is similar to between our countries although our food differs very much.

But Vietnamese people love to eat Polish food and Polish people absolutely love Vietnamese food. It's very popular in Poland, so I think we can also develop it.

The Head of Mission also hoped to see more tourists from both countries visiting each other, tourists from Poland visiting Viet Nam in coming time./.