Vietnamese, Lithuanian Presidents hold talks in Ha Noi

Luong asserted that this is the first-ever historic head-of-State-level visit to Viet Nam since the the two countries set up diplomatic relations in 1992, opening up many new opportunities for bilateral cooperation—especially in areas where both sides have strengths and mutual needs that complement each other.

This visit serves as a foundation for a new breakthrough, contributing to deepening the traditional friendship between Viet Nam and Lithuania in a more substantive and effective manner, he said, affirming that Viet Nam always values and wishes to strengthen cooperation with Lithuania, a key traditional partner of the country in the region.

The Party, State, and people of Viet Nam deeply appreciate the valuable support and assistance that the people of Lithuania have extended to Viet Nam during its past struggle for national liberation, as well as in the current process of national development.

Recognizing Lithuania as one of the first EU member states to ratify the EU-Viet Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), Luong called on Lithuania to push for the remaining EU countries to swiftly approve the agreement.

He urged Lithuania to support the European Commission's removal of "yellow card" warning against Viet Nam's seafood exports as soon as possible.

Luong called on Lithuania to continue to support the principled stance of ASEAN and Viet Nam on the East Sea issue and voice its support for the peaceful settlement of disputes based on international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to contribute to maintaining peace, stability, security, safety, and freedom of navigation and overflight in the region and globally, for the sake of cooperation and shared prosperity.

He extended an invitation to President Nauseda to attend the signing ceremony of the United Nations Convention on Cybercrime, which will take place in Ha Noi in next October.

Nauseda, for his side, expressed his admiration and appreciation for the remarkable achievements Viet Nam has made in its Renewal process, praising Viet Nam as one of the fastest-growing economies in Southeast Asia and the world.

Viet Nam is one of Lithuania's most important partners in the Southeast Asian region, reiterated the guest, expressing his wish to further develop the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation with Viet Nam, especially in areas where both sides have significant strengths and potential.

Both leaders vowed to continue strengthening contacts and exchanges of delegations at all levels, especially high-level visits, through all channels-Party, State, Government, National Assembly, and people-to-people exchanges-in order to further reinforce political trust and mutual understanding, serving as a foundation for expanding bilateral cooperation across all areas.

Cooperation in economics, trade and investment is a key pillar in bilateral relations, they underlined, adding that there remains significant potential to increase trade ties between the two countries.

Both sides committed to promoting the establishment of an Intergovernmental Committee on economic and scientific-technical cooperation, effectively implementing the EU-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and facilitating mutual market access for goods, thereby enabling each country to enter the EU and ASEAN markets.

They emphasized the need to speed up the negotiation and signing of specific cooperation documents, including a double taxation avoidance agreement, to remove barriers and unlock trade and investment relations.

Both countries possess many high-quality agricultural products so that they can also bolster cooperation in agricultural product processing to ensure sustainable development and food security, highlighted the leaders.

The two leaders pledged to enhance experience sharing and foster stronger ties in science and technology—especially in high-tech, digital technology, information technology, financial technology (FinTech), artificial intelligence (AI), green transition, and renewable energy.

The host and the guest agreed to bolster collaboration in the field of defense and security in accordance with international law and the respective policies and legal frameworks of each country, particularly in areas such as crime prevention, information safety and security, contributing to peace and common security.

Both sides also agreed to enhance people-to-people exchanges and local-to-local linkages to foster closer bonds and mutual understanding between the two countries via trade, investment and tourism promotion activities.

Following the talks, the two leaders witnessed the signing ceremony of cooperation documents in energy, science technology, agriculture and finance./.