Full Joint Statement on strengthening Viet Nam-Ireland partnership

Joint Statement on strengthening Viet Nam-Ireland partnership

Below is full Joint Statement on strengthening Viet Nam-Ireland partnership

1. Within the framework of the State visit to Ireland by General Secretary and President To Lam at the invitation of Irish President Michael Higgins, General Secretary and President To Lam and Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris had an amicable meeting, during which both sides updated each other about the recent developments in each country, discussed measures to promote the bilateral ties and exchanged views on regional and international issues of common concern.

2. Prime Minister Simon Harris, on behalf of the people of Ireland, extended condolences over the devastation and loss of life caused by Typhoon Yagi, expressing Ireland's willing to provide emergency support for Viet Nam at this hard time

3. The two leaders affirmed that the State visit is an important milestone after nearly 30 years of diplomatic relations. Both sides affirmed the importance of further strengthening the relations between Viet Nam and Ireland; agreed to cooperate for prosperity and inclusive development in both countries, and for peace, cooperation and development around the globe, in accordance with the fundamental principles of international law and the United Nations Charter.

Strengthening cooperation in politics, diplomacy and security

4. The two leaders acknowledged the importance of high-level visits and regular exchanges; agreed to maintain cooperation between the two countries' foreign ministries through bilateral consultation mechanism signed by the two foreign ministers in February 2024.

5. Prime Minister Simon Harris warmly welcomed the announcement by General Secretary and President To Lam that Viet Nam plans to open its Embassy in Ireland. The two leaders agreed that the Embassy will play an important role in deepening the fine friendship and cooperation between Viet Nam and Ireland.

6. Both sides welcomed the establishment of an Ireland-Viet Nam Parliamentary Friendship Group, which will foster greater understanding between the two countries' parliaments. The two leaders highly valued the bridging role and positive contributions of the Vietnamese community in Ireland and the Irish community in Viet Nam.

7. The two leaders reaffirmed the importance of cooperation in the face of security threats and agreed that the two countries will strengthen exchanges and promote cooperation in cybersecurity and prevention of transnational organized crime.

8. Both sides acknowledged the importance of promoting human rights in accordance with the real conditions, domestic laws and international commitments of each country.

Sectoral strategic partnership in higher education

9. Building on the fine bilateral ties over the last 30 years, the two leaders welcomed the establishment of sectoral strategic partnership in higher education and affirmed the importance of establishing a comprehensive partnership framework at an appropriate time. From that perspective, the two leaders welcomed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Viet Nam National University and Dublin University and Cork University on the occasion of General Secretary and President To Lam. Viet Nam thanked Ireland for having offered Viet Nam 325 postgraduate scholarships since 2007.

Cooperation in trade, investment, development and other potential fields

10. The two leaders welcomed the important and growing trade cooperation between Viet Nam and Ireland. Both sides reaffirmed the importance of full implementation of the EU-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and discussed the significance of the EU-Viet Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), expressing their belief that these two agreements will facilitate trade and investment between the two countries. Both sides spoke highly of Irish investments in VIet Nam and acknowledged several business agreements signed between the two countries' enterprises during the visit by General Secretary and President To Lam. The two leaders welcomed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on economic and trade cooperation between Viet Nam's Ministry of Industry and Trade and Ireland's Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

11. General Secretary and President To Lam thanked the Irish Government for its Development Cooperation Program, which has helped Viet Nam to have achieved many development goals ahead of schedule. The Irish Prime Minister affirmed Ireland will continue assistance for Viet Nam in climate change adaptation, livelihood creation, settlement of the consequences of landmines and unexploded ordnance, nutrition, higher education and governance.

12. Viet Nam highly valued Ireland's support and technical assistance for Viet Nam's agriculture sector. The two leaders welcomed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on sustainable agricultural system transformation between Viet Nam's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and Ireland's Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine on the occasion of this visit.

13. On science and technology, the two sides welcomed the potential for cooperation in promoting innovation, digital transformation, climate change adaptation, high-quality human resource development, and other fields of shared interests.

14. Both sides agreed on the value of cultural, art, tourism promotion and people-to-people exchange activities in order to strengthen mutual understanding and foster friendship between the two nations.

For regional and international issues

15. The two sides committed to enhancing coordination and mutual support at regional and international forums, especially the United Nations and the ASEAN-EU framework. Both sides expressed support for a united, strong and prosperous ASEAN Community and its central role in the regional architecture and for strengthening the ASEAN-EU strategic partnership.

16. Both sides reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security and safety of navigation and aviation in the East Sea, as well as the importance of settling disputes through peaceful means, in accordance with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Both sides underscored the necessity to establish comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine, in line with the United Nations Charter and international law. The two sides emphasized the principles of respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty of all states. The two leaders discussed the situation in Gaza, calling for an immediate ceasefire and hostage release deal, emphasizing the need to scale up humanitarian aid.

17. The two leaders acknowledged the important contributions of Ireland and Viet Nam in the United Nations peacekeeping operations and agreed to explore opportunities for future cooperation and experience sharing./.

For reference only