Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh holds talks with Ethiopian counterpart

Prime Minister Pham emphasized that amid global economic uncertainties and trade tensions, the two countries should promote dialogues and mutual understandings to diversify markets and facilitate bilateral economic, trade, and investment cooperation.

He affirmed that Viet Nam always treasures its friendship with African nations, including Ethiopia, and highly values the significant socio-economic achievements Ethiopia has made, expressing his belief that Ethiopia will continue to succeed in realizing its economic reform program and become a bright spot of economic growth in Africa, playing an increasingly important role in the region and globally.

In response, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali said Ethiopia regards Viet Nam as a priority partner in Asia and looks forward to strengthening and deepening bilateral cooperation in areas  in line with mutual strengths and potentials.

Both leaders underscored the importance of maintaining all-level exchanges between their parties, states, governments, and parliaments, as well as between ministries, localities, and business communities, to enhance political trust. They agreed to explore the possibility of opening diplomatic missions in each other’s countries in the near future.

The two leaders acknowledged that current cooperation remains modest compared to the size and potential of the two economies, which together represent a market of over 230 million people and boast some of the fastest growth rates in their respective regions.

Following the talks, the Prime Ministers witnessed the signing of several cooperation documents, including: a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on trade cooperation between the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ethiopian Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration and a MoU on educational cooperation between the Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training and the Ethiopian Ministry of Education.

The Vietnamese side also handed over an official letter of approval permitting Ethiopian Airlines to open a direct air route connecting the two capitals—the first and only direct flight between the two countries. This is expected to enhance trade and connectivity not only between Viet Nam and Ethiopia but also between Viet Nam and Africa.

Earlier, the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations had signed an MoU on cooperation./.