30 years of Vietnam-Croatia relations: Opportunity to deepen bilateral relations

2024 marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Croatia (July 1, 1994 - July 1, 2024). On this occasion, Vietnamese Ambassador to Hungary and Croatia Nguyen Thi Bich Thao had an interview with VNA reporters in Southern Europe about the significance of the event as well as the achievements and prospects for cooperation between the two countries in the coming time. The following is the content of the interview.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Hungary and Croatia Nguyen Thi Bich Thao. (Photo: VNA)

Reporter: Dear Ambassador, the Vietnam-Croatia relationship continues to develop strongly, in depth and substantially in all fields. Could you review some of the outstanding achievements of the cooperative relationship over the past 30 years and the strengths that need to be promoted? Ambassador Nguyen Thi Bich Thao : Vietnam always attaches importance to consolidating and developing the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation with traditional friends in the Balkan region, of which Croatia is a priority. Over the past 3 decades, the Vietnam-Croatia relationship has developed positively, expanded in many fields, most impressively in politics -diplomacy, economy, trade and there is still much potential and room to promote strengths. In terms of politics-diplomacy, the two sides maintain delegation exchanges at all levels. Croatian President Stjepan Mesic visited Vietnam in 2008, most recently the official visit of Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan to Croatia (October 2022). Contacts between the two countries' senior leaders on the sidelines of multilateral forums take place regularly. Most recently, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with the Croatian Prime Minister on the sidelines of the Summit to celebrate the 45th anniversary of ASEAN-EU relations in Brussels (December 2022); Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son met with Croatian Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Affairs Gordan Grlic Radman on the sidelines of the OECD Conference in France (May 2024), and the two sides held a political consultation at the Deputy Foreign Minister level in Zagreb (March 2024). The two countries have actively coordinated in regional and international issues of mutual concern, always supporting each other at multilateral forums such as the United Nations, and promoting the strong development of the ASEAN-EU strategic partnership. Vietnam and Croatia have signed many important agreements creating a legal framework for cooperation and development of bilateral relations, especially in the fields of diplomacy, economy and trade. Reporter: How does the Ambassador assess the potential for cooperation between the two countries in the coming time, both in bilateral relations as well as in international cooperation, at multilateral forums? Ambassador Nguyen Thi Bich Thao : The potential for cooperation between the two countries is still very large, on the basis of promoting the complementary strengths and competitive advantages of each country, through bilateral and multilateral channels. With many world-famous landscapes, long coastlines, the two sides have great potential for cooperation in tourism, marine economy , logistics, people-to-people exchange, etc. Vietnam is ready to act as a gateway for Croatian goods to penetrate the Vietnamese and ASEAN markets. In multilateral forums, the two countries will strengthen cooperation within the framework of ASEAN-EU, ASEM as well as in the fields of peacekeeping, climate change response, humanitarian assistance, etc. Reporter: Could you please share with us the Embassy's plan to coordinate with relevant Croatian agencies to organize activities to celebrate the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries? Ambassador Nguyen Thi Bich Thao : On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations, Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang visited Croatia for political consultations with Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and European Affairs Frano Matusic (March 2024). Most recently, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son exchanged congratulatory letters with Croatian Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Affairs Gordan Grlic Radman on this occasion. In particular, on July 7, the Embassy will lead a delegation of more than 70 Vietnamese businesses and associations to Croatia to coordinate with the local government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Affairs of Croatia to organize "Vietnam Cultural Day" in Croatia on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Croatia. This event is expected to attract thousands of local people and diplomatic delegations in Croatia with activities promoting Vietnamese culture through special programs: singing and dancing, photo exhibitions - video clips about Vietnam, introducing Vietnamese cuisine , writing calligraphy, introducing Vietnamese handicrafts, fine arts, agricultural products, designing playgrounds, instructing Croatian children to paint, draw natural landscapes, the homeland of Vietnam... I hope that this event will be a great success, spreading the image of friendly Vietnamese people in the hearts of Croatian people. Reporter: According to the Ambassador, what should the two countries do to continue to develop bilateral relations in the coming time? Ambassador Nguyen Thi Bich Thao : Vietnam and Croatia need to continue to increase the exchange of delegations at all levels through all channels of the State, the National Assembly, between ministries, branches and localities to enhance political trust and mutual understanding, as a foundation for promoting cooperation. The two countries need to identify economic-trade-investment cooperation as an important pillar of bilateral relations in the coming time, expanding the signing of agreements in other areas such as culture, sports,education , tourism, labor, etc.; promote the establishment of an Intergovernmental Committee between the two countries on economic cooperation; focus on effectively and fully implementing the Vietnam-European Union Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), and the upcoming Investment Protection Agreement between the EU and Vietnam (EVIPA). At the same time, the two sides also need to focus on providing information and building trade-investment promotion programs to create conditions for the business communities of the two countries to better understand each other's business and investment environments. Reporter: Could you please tell us about the focus of cooperation between Vietnam and Croatia in 2024 and the following years? Ambassador Nguyen Thi Bich Thao : Based on the good cooperation between the two countries, this year and in the coming time, Vietnam and Croatia will focus on promoting and enhancing the exchange of high-level delegations; establishing new cooperation mechanisms; expanding parliamentary cooperation. In addition, the two countries will continue to exploit and expand relations in potential and complementary areas such as food processing, logistics, clean energy conversion, high technology, digital economy, pharmaceuticals, etc. In the near future, Vietnam plans to appoint an honorary consul in Zagreb to promote bilateral relations, especially in the fields of trade and economy and support for Vietnamese citizens in Croatia. Thank you very much, Ambassador.

Nhandan.vn

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