Vietnam - Austria relations are growing

On July 23 (local time),President Vo Van Thuong and his wife arrived in Vienna, beginning an official visit to the Republic of Austria at the invitation of President Alexander Van der Bellen.

This is the first visit to Austria by a Vietnamese President in 15 years. During the visit, President Vo Van Thuong is expected to hold important talks with President Alexander Van der Bellen and meet with a number of Austrian leaders to discuss solutions to further strengthen the friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

Austria was one of the first Western countries to establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam, on December 1, 1972. Relations between the two countries have grown in many fields over the past 50 years.

Currently, Austria is among Vietnam's top 10 export partners in Europe and Vietnam is Austria's top trading partner in ASEAN. Vietnam-Austria bilateral trade in 2022 is 2.79 billion USD.

Austria's investment in Vietnam is currently around 148 million USD. Besides economic cooperation, the two countries also promote relations in the fields of culture, education, science and technology...

Quan hệ Việt Nam - Áo ngày càng phát triển - Ảnh 1.

Welcoming ceremony for President Vo Van Thuong and his wife at Vienna International Airport - Republic of Austria Photo: VNA

Austrian Ambassador to Vietnam Hans-Peter Glanzer emphasized that President Vo Van Thuong's visit to Austria is of great importance and significance, contributing to further tightening the relationship between the two countries.

"Austria is keen to strengthen cooperation in the economic and educational fields. I believe that such visits are always a positive opportunity to strengthen cooperation and further promote certain projects," the Ambassador said.

Ambassador Hans-Peter Glanzer assessed that there is still much potential to deepen the friendly relations between the two countries. For example, in the economic field, there is great room for investment from Austria to Vietnam.

Austria can support Vietnam in many areas such as: enhancing industrial production capacity, supporting the green economy in the field of renewable energy and developing public infrastructure, including the health sector. In return, Austria also sees opportunities for Vietnamese businesses in Austria and investment from Vietnam into this country.

Austria is located in the heart of Europe, so it can be a launching pad to access other regions of the continent. In this context, last year Austria provided preferential loans worth about 350 million euros to Vietnam's health, railway and other sectors.

"We also see great potential for enhancing cooperation in the fields of education and academia, such as in vocational training or promoting cooperation between the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam and the Diplomatic Academy in Vienna," Ambassador Hans-Peter Glanzer expected.

Dr. Patrick Horvath - Secretary General of the Vienna-based "Foundation for Scientific Economic Policy" (WIWIPOL), volunteer of the Austrian Cultural Exchange and Integration Organization "Asia in Vienna" - wrote an article proposing a strategy on economic policy between Vietnam and Austria.

In particular, Dr. Horvath assessed that a multi-dimensional approach - including: Promoting investment in industry; providing labor force; establishing a "Green Partnership" - would benefit both Austria and Vietnam, as well as serve the common interests of the two countries.

After concluding his official visit to Austria, President Vo Van Thuong and his wife will pay a state visit to the Republic of Italy and the Vatican until July 28 at the invitation of Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Pope Francis.

This is the first exchange of delegations at the head of state level to Italy and the Vatican in the past 7 years. The President's visit to Italy is also the most important highlight on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations and 10 years of the Vietnam - Italy strategic partnership.

In 2022, Vietnam - Italy trade turnover will reach more than 6.2 billion USD, an increase of 11% compared to 2021, expected to reach 7 - 8 billion USD/year. Italy is currently Vietnam's third largest trading partner in the European Union.

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