Joint Statement on Establishing Vietnam - Finland Strategic Partnership

(Dan Tri) - The Vietnam - Finland Strategic Partnership is built on the foundation of 52 years of friendship and cooperation in many fields, based on trust, equality and mutual respect.

During the official visit of General Secretary To Lam and his wife, along with a high-level Vietnamese delegation, to Finland at the invitation of Finnish President Alexander Stubb from October 20 to 22, the two sides issued a Joint Statement on the establishment of a Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and Finland.

General Secretary To Lam and Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo (Photo: Thong Nhat - VNA).

Dan Tri Newspaper respectfully presents the full text of the Joint Statement:

At the invitation of Finnish President Alexander Stubb, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam , To Lam, paid an official visit to Finland from October 20 to 22, 2025. During the visit, General Secretary To Lam and President Alexander Stubb agreed to upgrade the relationship between the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Republic of Finland, established in 1973, to a Strategic Partnership.

The Vietnam-Finland Strategic Partnership is built on 52 years of friendship and cooperation in many fields, based on mutual trust, equality, and respect, with the aim of deepening bilateral and multilateral relations for the benefit of the people of both countries. The Strategic Partnership between the two countries also contributes to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and the world, based on adherence to the United Nations Charter, international law, and the principles of respect for each other's independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and non-interference in internal affairs.

Both sides agreed to further strengthen bilateral high-level visits and contacts through all channels—Party, State, Government, Parliament, and local authorities—of Vietnam and the Finnish government, with the aim of consolidating political cooperation and enhancing mutual understanding.

Both sides agreed to establish an annual strategic consultation mechanism on regional and international issues, coordinate in addressing traditional and non-traditional security challenges, and review and update cooperation activities in bilateral relations, including bilateral discussions in the fields of defense and security.

Both sides emphasized the importance of close cooperation within regional and international organizations, affirming their support for multilateralism and full respect for and adherence to international law, and the peaceful resolution of disputes based on international law. Key areas of cooperation include:

1. POLITICAL AND DIPLOMATIC COOPERATION

Both sides committed to strengthening high-level exchanges at all levels to consolidate political trust and mutual understanding. At the same time, both sides emphasized the continued close cooperation within international and regional organizations, supporting multilateralism, resolving disputes through peaceful means, and adhering to international law.

2. ECONOMIC, TRADE, AND INVESTMENT COOPERATION

Both sides agreed that economic cooperation is a key pillar of the Strategic Partnership. The two countries will promote bilateral trade and investment, leveraging existing bilateral and multilateral agreements. Finland will act as a bridge to help Vietnamese goods access the EU market, while Vietnam will be a strategic destination for Finnish businesses in Asia. Both sides committed to promoting a transparent, fair, and non-discriminatory trade and investment environment; strengthening business meetings and exchanges; and improving access to finance.

3. SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL COOPERATION, INNOVATION AND DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

Both sides will strengthen cooperation programs in the fields of e-government, online public services, circular economy, artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductor technology, 5G/6G telecommunications networks, and green technologies. Both sides expressed their desire to strengthen the innovative startup ecosystem, innovation acceleration programs, and enhance capacity in digital governance, smart infrastructure, and emerging technologies.

4. COOPERATION IN EDUCATION, TRAINING, LABOR, AND DEVELOPMENT

Both sides expressed their desire to promote academic exchanges, scholarships, and the implementation of joint programs and projects in the fields of: management and leadership capacity building, educational technology, retraining, and skills enhancement. Development cooperation will focus on innovation, sustainable environmental development, and climate change adaptation, through leveraging Finland's concessional credit programs to implement projects in Vietnam, prioritizing initiatives in innovation and green development.

5. COOPERATION IN AGRICULTURE - ENVIRONMENT, ENERGY, INFRASTRUCTURE, AND TRANSPORTATION

Both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in the fields of agriculture, forestry and aquaculture, and the circular economy, focusing on digital transformation, resource management, and climate change response. They also agreed to enhance cooperation in the energy sector to promote Vietnam's transition to renewable energy, focusing on energy efficiency and emission reduction. In the infrastructure and transportation sector, both sides committed to promoting cooperation in the development of smart cities, green ports, aviation, and logistics, with a focus on the application of high technology and automation.

6. PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE EXCHANGE AND LOCAL COOPERATION

Both sides agreed to promote partnerships, business cooperation, cultural exchanges, and people-to-people exchanges to strengthen friendship and enhance mutual understanding. They also committed to promoting the signing and implementation of cooperation agreements between localities of the two countries.

7. IMPLEMENTATION AND NEXT STEPS

General Secretary To Lam thanked President Alexander Stubb, the leaders and people of Finland for the warm welcome extended to him, his wife and the high-level Vietnamese delegation, and respectfully invited President Alexander Stubb to visit Vietnam soon.

Based on the content of the Joint Statement, the Foreign Ministers of the two countries will be responsible for coordinating with relevant ministries and agencies to develop an action plan as soon as possible to achieve the above objectives.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/thoi-su/tuyen-bo-chung-thiet-lap-quan-he-doi-tac-chien-luoc-viet-nam-phan-lan-20251021195722185.htm