Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh receives Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia Tanja Fajon – Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac
At the meeting, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh welcomed the visit to Vietnam by Slovenian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Tanja Fajon; highly appreciated the results of the talks between the two Foreign Ministers, the meeting with the Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien, as well as the Vietnam - Slovenia Business Forum held in Ho Chi Minh City.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh expressed his joy over the past year, despite being affected by the COVID-19 epidemic, economic and trade cooperation between the two countries continued to maintain a positive growth momentum – Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac
The Prime Minister expressed his belief that the visit will contribute to bringing the traditional friendship and good cooperation between Vietnam and Slovenia to more and more effective development in all fields; affirmed that Vietnam always attaches importance to and wishes to strengthen multifaceted cooperation with Slovenia, a traditional partner and friend of Vietnam in Central Eastern Europe.
Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Affairs Tanja Fajon expressed his pleasure to visit Vietnam for the first time and thanked Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh for taking the time to receive the delegation; expressed his impression of Vietnam's socio-economic development achievements, and affirmed Slovenia's desire to further promote the traditional friendship and cooperation relationship with Vietnam, one of Slovenia's leading important partners in the region.
Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Affairs Tanja Fajon affirmed that Slovenia wishes to deepen ties with Vietnam in various fields – Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac
Talking about bilateral relations, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh expressed his satisfaction about the positive developments in the relationship between the two countries over the past time; suggested that the two sides increase the exchange of delegations at all levels, especially high-level, as well as between the ministries, branches and localities of the two countries, especially in 2024 when the two countries celebrate the 30th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations.
Regarding economic and trade cooperation, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh expressed his pleasure over the past year, despite being affected by the COVID-19 epidemic, the economic-trade cooperation between the two countries continued to maintain a positive growth momentum, two-way trade turnover in 2022 reached a record of more than 570 million USD, up 15% compared to 2021.
The Prime Minister asked Slovenia to create more favorable conditions for Vietnam's strong products such as electronics, textiles, agriculture and seafood to access the Slovenian and EU markets. On this occasion, the Prime Minister proposed that Slovenia soon ratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA); urge the European Commission (EC) to soon remove the IUU yellow card for Vietnamese seafood products.
Expressing agreement with the assessments and opinions of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Affairs Tanja Fajon affirmed that with the foundation of good traditional friendship, Slovenia wishes to deepen ties with Vietnam in various fields.; Emphasizing that the Slovenian government highly appreciates the advantages of the market, human resources and investment business environment in Vietnam, as well as the fact that the two countries are supporters of free trade. For that reason, the Slovenian business community is very interested and wishes to cooperate effectively with Vietnamese partners, as shown by the fact that many leading Slovenian enterprises have come to Vietnam on this occasion to seek cooperation and investment opportunities.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Affairs Tanja Fajon agreed that the two countries need to strengthen cooperation at multilateral and regional forums, jointly dealing with global challenges, such as climate change, energy crisis, and food crisis.
Regarding the East Sea issue, the two sides emphasized the importance of ensuring security, safety and freedom of navigation and overflight in the East Sea as well as settling disputes by peaceful means on the basis of international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
On this occasion, the Prime Minister asked the Slovenian Government to continue to support and create favorable conditions for the Vietnamese community to live and work, thereby making practical and effective contributions to the good traditional friendship between Vietnam and Slovenia.
