Joint Statement on the Establishment of Vietnam-Bulgaria Strategic Partnership

General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam To Lam and President of the Republic of Bulgaria Rumen Radev agreed to adopt a Joint Statement on upgrading Vietnam-Bulgaria relations to a "Strategic Partnership."

On the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-Bulgaria diplomatic relations in 2025, at the invitation of Bulgarian President Rumen Radev, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam To Lam paid an official visit to Bulgaria from October 22 to October 24, 2025.

Since establishing diplomatic relations in 1950, Vietnam and Bulgaria have built and developed a traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation on the basis of trust, equality, mutual respect, for the benefit of the people of the two countries.

The Vietnam-Bulgaria relationship has a solid foundation of common interests, compliance with the United Nations Charter as well as the general principles agreed in the Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation between the European Union and its member states with Vietnam, including respect for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries and their political systems; non-interference in each other's internal affairs; respect and guarantee of each other's interests; commitment to promoting global free trade, promoting international law and multilateralism; as well as promoting peace , security and prosperity, in accordance with the United Nations Charter.

Based on the outstanding achievements of bilateral relations in all fields over the past 75 years, with open cooperation potential and firm belief in the bright future of bilateral relations, in order to meet the aspirations of the people of the two countries, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam To Lam and President of the Republic of Bulgaria Rumen Radev agreed to adopt a Joint Statement on upgrading Vietnam-Bulgaria relations to a "Strategic Partnership."

The establishment of the Vietnam-Bulgaria Strategic Partnership framework aims to bring the bilateral relationship to a new level on both bilateral and multilateral levels, strengthen and consolidate existing bilateral cooperation mechanisms, as well as promote the formation of new mechanisms to deepen cooperation between the two countries.

Within the framework of the Strategic Partnership, Vietnam and Bulgaria will continue to deepen cooperation in various fields to ensure the practical interests of the two peoples, contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and prosperity in both regions and the world, focusing on the following areas:

I. Strengthening political and diplomatic cooperation

1. The two sides agreed to enhance political dialogue and delegation exchanges at all levels, especially at the high level, and to study and establish new cooperation mechanisms between ministries, branches and localities of the two sides.

2. The two sides agreed to increase contacts through all channels between the Party, State, Government, National Assembly, central and local agencies of Vietnam and central and local agencies of Bulgaria to strengthen political cooperation and mutual understanding. The two sides identified political consultation as the main mechanism to review and update cooperation activities.

3. The two sides wish to further strengthen relations between legislative bodies, including increasing delegation exchanges and bilateral and multilateral contacts, especially between leaders, specialized committees and friendship parliamentary groups of the two sides, in accordance with the framework of the new partnership between the two countries.

4. The two sides agreed to effectively implement bilateral cooperation agreements; review, amend, supplement, sign new and upgrade documents and joint agreements between the two countries and between the two sides' competent agencies, in order to create a solid legal basis to promote bilateral relations in all fields.

5. The two sides agreed to promote dialogue between the two Foreign Ministries and expressed their desire to expand cooperation on international and regional issues, including consultation on positions at multilateral forums, especially within the framework of the United Nations, ASEAN-EU and ASEM.

II. Strengthening defense and security cooperation

6. The two sides expressed their willingness to promote the exchange of delegations at all levels to enhance bilateral cooperation in the fields of defense and security, and step up cooperation in training, defense industry, defense intelligence, United Nations peacekeeping, and non-traditional security.

7. The two sides agreed to establish a Joint Working Group mechanism on defense cooperation to move towards establishing a rotating Defense Policy Dialogue mechanism at the Deputy Ministerial level to exchange information on strategic, defense and security issues; enhance academic exchanges between defense and security academies and research institutions; and promote cooperation mechanisms within bilateral and multilateral frameworks.

8. The two sides expressed their desire to promote cooperation in the fields of security and law enforcement, accelerate negotiations and signing of new agreements between relevant authorities; enhance information exchange in the fields of security and police and promote cooperation in the fields of cyber security, prevention of high-tech crimes, drug trafficking and transnational organized crimes.

9. The two sides agreed to continue to effectively implement existing cooperation agreements, especially cooperation in crime prevention, training and development of officials, enhancing cooperation in information exchange; and coordinating assessment and forecasting of issues related to the national interests and security of the two countries.

III. Expanding economic and trade cooperation

10. The two sides agreed to promote economic and trade cooperation, identifying this as one of the central pillars and main driving force for the Vietnam-Bulgaria relationship to shift from “traditional” to “strategic - practical - effective”. On the basis of existing bilateral and multilateral economic cooperation agreements, the two sides expressed their desire to develop and expand bilateral trade.

11. The two sides emphasized the role of Bulgaria and Vietnam as a bridge for goods to access Asian and EU markets; and believed that the role of the two countries as members of the EU and ASEAN creates opportunities to expand economic cooperation. The two sides agreed to enhance the role and effectiveness of bilateral cooperation mechanisms and make the most of the potential of the two countries.

12. The two sides affirmed the importance of the Intergovernmental Committee on Economic, Trade, Scientific and Technical Cooperation; agreed to support each other in participating in global value chains such as green transformation, digital transformation, electric vehicles, etc. in the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which is changing the foundation and structure of traditional economies to transform into knowledge-based and innovation-based economies.

13. The two sides expressed their desire to promote cooperation between businesses of the two countries and support the principles of open trade, based on international rules and taking into account EU regulations.

14. The two sides expressed their desire to enhance effective coordination and mutual support within the framework of the Vietnam-EU partnership, continue to closely coordinate, promote trade and investment; effectively implement and take advantage of opportunities of the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA). The two sides will support each other in economic cooperation and improve market access in the EU and ASEAN.

General Secretary To Lam and Bulgarian President Rumen Radev witnessed the cooperation agreement in the field of space technology between the Military Industry-Telecoms Group (Viettel) and EnduroSat EAD Company. (Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA)

IV. Promoting substantive cooperation in the fields of science and technology, education and training, agriculture, culture, tourism, sports, labor, environment and health

* Science and Technology

15. The two sides identified science and technology as a priority pillar of cooperation, capable of creating high value and making practical contributions to the socio-economic development process and growth model transformation in both countries.

Based on the 1998 Agreement on Science and Technology Cooperation, the two sides agreed to promote the early organization of the 5th Meeting of the Science and Technology Cooperation Committee, focusing on areas where both sides have potential, strengths and cooperation needs such as training of information technology human resources in the fields of digital transformation, digital economy, digital infrastructure and e-government, pharmaceuticals and biomedicine, artificial intelligence (AI) and modern computer science, green energy... identified as strategic priority orientations for the 2030-2045 period.

* Education and Training

16. The two sides committed to effectively implementing the Framework Agreement on Scholarship Exchange between the two countries, first of all the Education Cooperation Program for the period 2025-2028, and encouraging the granting of scholarships to students of each side according to their needs and fields of study.

17. The two sides agreed to promote comprehensive and continuous cooperation, build mechanisms for exchanging experts, lecturers and students of the two countries, not only for academic exchanges for students and lecturers but also expanding to training highly qualified experts; promote the opening of Vietnamese and Bulgarian language classes at training institutions of the two sides.

18. The two sides agreed to promote cooperation in traditional fields such as biotechnology, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, functional foods, materials technology, and the environment; consider establishing a joint research center and promote technology transfer through connecting businesses, associations, and academies; and promote cooperation programs on science and technology within the framework of the EU or the tripartite cooperation mechanism.

* Agriculture

19. The two sides agreed to negotiate and sign a Cooperation Agreement on Agriculture and Livestock to elevate cooperation in this field to become a pillar of substantive strategic cooperation, making the most of each side's potential and strengths in terms of cultivated land as well as scientific and technical potential in the fields of agriculture and livestock to bring about common benefits.

20. The two sides affirmed to increase information exchange on regulations, standards and technical requirements related to quality control and food safety in the fields of agriculture, forestry and fisheries; cooperate in building direct agricultural supply chains between the two countries; build common models for applying technology in agricultural production; and promote cooperation in research and exchange of plant varieties, livestock, biotechnology and animal feed production.

* Culture, Sports and Tourism

21. The two sides agreed to promote existing cooperation mechanisms such as the Cultural Cooperation Program for the 2024-2026 period to coordinate the organization of cultural weeks, photo exhibitions, music and film exchanges and other activities on the occasion of major holidays of the two countries, and the anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

22. The two sides are willing to promote cooperation in youth sports, towards a system of training young athletes; encourage the exchange of documents and content related to national sports programs, as well as build strategies and policies for sports development in the two countries.

23. The two sides wish to enhance exchanges and connections between tourism partners, share experiences in each other's strengths, promote tourism and develop human resources in the tourism industry on the basis of the Tourism Cooperation Plan for the period 2024 - 2026.

24. The two sides encouraged airlines to cooperate and study the opening of direct flights to enhance transport connectivity and cultural exchange between the two countries. The Bulgarian side acknowledged and appreciated Vietnam's unilateral 45-day visa exemption for Bulgarian citizens from August 15, 2025 to August 14, 2028 to facilitate Bulgarian businesses, experts, investors and tourists. The Vietnamese side requested Bulgaria to take measures to facilitate entry, exit and residence, and study the possibility of bilateral visa exemption for each other's citizens in accordance with EU regulations at an appropriate time to promote bilateral cooperation and people-to-people exchange.

* Labor

25. The two sides agreed to promote effective cooperation in the field of labor on the basis of the Labor Cooperation Agreement signed in 2018.

26. The two sides agreed to deepen cooperation in the field of labor migration and enhance cooperation in the field of vocational training through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of the Interior of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy of the Republic of Bulgaria.

* Environment

27. The two sides are willing to strengthen cooperation as well as share technology and experience in the fields of circular economy, wastewater treatment, solid waste and plastic waste management, air pollution control, clean water supply and rural environmental sanitation; promote cooperation in the fields of geology, minerals and energy conversion.

28. Both sides affirmed their commitment to deepening development cooperation, especially in key areas such as social inclusion, sustainable economic growth and environmental resilience, including through the integration of cooperation frameworks such as the Team Europe Initiative and the Global Gateway Programme.

* Medical

29. The two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in the field of public health care and preventive medicine; expand opportunities for experience exchange in the fields of training high-quality medical human resources, pharmaceutical research and development, biotechnology and e-health. The two sides agreed to promote the signing of an intergovernmental cooperation agreement or an implementation plan in the health sector.

General Secretary To Lam and his wife lay flowers at the Monument to the Unknown Soldier. (Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA)

V. Strengthening cooperation between localities and people-to-people exchanges

30. The two sides expressed their willingness to strengthen cooperation between local authorities with similarities in economy, geography and culture, as well as between social and professional organizations to exploit complementary strengths, promote connectivity in areas such as trade, investment, education and cultural exchange, in order to bring practical benefits and strengthen the friendship between Vietnam and Bulgaria.

31. The two sides are willing to create favorable conditions for people's organizations and friendship associations of the two countries to regularly exchange and cooperate on major events of the two sides; and sign new cooperation documents to further strengthen the relationship between the two countries.

32. The two sides created favorable conditions for the Vietnamese community in Bulgaria and Bulgarian citizens living in Vietnam, helping them continue to make positive contributions to the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation between the two countries.

VI. Strengthening regional and international cooperation

33. The two sides highly appreciated the close cooperation in regional and international organizations, wished to continue to closely coordinate and support each other within the framework of the United Nations and other international organizations and forums, and maintain regular exchanges on regional security and political issues and the international situation of mutual concern.

34. The two sides agreed to continue close cooperation in regional and international multilateral frameworks such as the WTO, ASEAN-EU, ASEM, OECD, UNESCO and other organizations and forums.

35. The two sides agreed to strengthen consultations on regional and international issues, coordinate in addressing traditional and non-traditional security challenges, including epidemics, climate change, terrorism, food security, energy and water resources, and coordinate in promoting sustainable development, trade liberalization and regional economic integration.

36. The two sides affirmed that Vietnam and Bulgaria support multilateralism, fully respect and comply with international law, resolve disputes by peaceful means on the basis of international law, especially the United Nations Charter, and refrain from the use or threat of force. The two sides stressed the importance of maintaining peace, stability, ensuring security, safety and freedom of navigation, aviation, unimpeded trade, and ensuring the rule of law at sea in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982).

37. The two sides affirmed the important role of high-level visits in consolidating the traditional friendship and opening up prospects for effective and substantive cooperation between Vietnam and Bulgaria, for the benefit of the two peoples, for peace, stability and development in the region.

Based on the content of the Joint Statement, the Foreign Ministries of the two countries will coordinate with relevant ministries and branches to implement the above-mentioned goals./.

(TTXVN/Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/tuyen-bo-chung-ve-viec-thiet-lap-quan-he-doi-tac-chien-luoc-viet-nam-bulgaria-post1072277.vnp