Joint Statement between Vietnam and Bulgaria on Establishing a Strategic Partnership

Within the framework of the Strategic Partnership, Vietnam and Bulgaria will continue to further deepen cooperation in various fields to ensure the practical interests of the people of both countries, contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and prosperity in both regions and the world, focusing on many areas.

General Secretary To Lam and Bulgarian President Rumen Radev at a press conference. Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA

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 the establishment of 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 "Strategic Partnership".

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

Within the framework of the Strategic Partnership, Vietnam and Bulgaria will continue to further deepen cooperation in various fields to ensure the practical interests of the people of both countries, 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. Both sides agreed to strengthen political dialogue and exchange of delegations at all levels, especially at the high level, and to study and establish new cooperation mechanisms between ministries, departments, and localities of both sides.

2. Both sides agreed to strengthen contacts through all channels between the Party, State, Government, National Assembly, and central and local agencies of Vietnam and central and local agencies of Bulgaria in order to consolidate political cooperation and mutual understanding. Both sides identified political consultation as the primary mechanism for reviewing and updating cooperation activities.

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

4. Both sides agreed to effectively implement bilateral cooperation agreements; review, amend, supplement, sign new and upgrade joint documents and agreements between the two countries and between relevant agencies of both sides, in order to create a solid legal basis for promoting bilateral relations in all fields.

5. Both sides agreed to promote dialogue between the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs and expressed their desire to expand cooperation on international and regional issues, including consultations on positions at multilateral forums, particularly 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. Both sides agreed to establish a Joint Working Group on Defense Cooperation to move towards establishing a rotating Deputy Minister-level Defense Policy Dialogue mechanism to exchange information on strategic, defense, and security issues; strengthen academic exchanges between defense and security academies and research institutions; and promote cooperation mechanisms within bilateral and multilateral frameworks.

8. Both sides expressed their desire to promote cooperation in the field of security and law enforcement, expedite negotiations and the signing of new agreements between relevant agencies; enhance information exchange in the field of security and policing, and promote cooperation in the areas of cybersecurity, combating high-tech crime, drug trafficking, and transnational organized crime.

9. Both sides agreed to continue effectively implementing existing cooperation agreements, especially cooperation in crime prevention, training and professional development of personnel, strengthening cooperation in information exchange; and coordinating the assessment and forecasting of issues related to the national interests and security of both 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. Both sides emphasized the role of Bulgaria and Vietnam as a bridge for goods to access Asian and EU markets; and agreed that their membership in the EU and ASEAN creates opportunities for expanding economic cooperation. Both sides agreed to strengthen the role and effectiveness of bilateral cooperation mechanisms and to maximize the potential of both countries.

12. Both sides affirmed the importance of the Intergovernmental Committee on Economic, Trade, Scientific and Technical Cooperation; and agreed to support each other's participation 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 foundations and structures of traditional economies to shift towards knowledge-based and innovation-driven economies.

13. Both sides expressed their desire to promote cooperation between businesses of the two countries and support the principles of open, rules-based international trade that take 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.

IV. Promoting substantive cooperation in the fields of science and technology, education and training, agriculture, culture and 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, both sides agreed to expedite the organization of the 5th Session of the Committee on Science and Technology Cooperation, focusing on areas where both sides have potential, strengths, and cooperation needs, such as training human resources in information technology in the fields of digital transformation, digital economy, digital infrastructure and e-government, pharmaceuticals and biomedical science, artificial intelligence (AI) and modern computer science, green energy, etc., which are identified as strategic priorities for the 2030-2045 period.

Education and Training

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

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

18. Both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in traditional fields such as biotechnology, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, functional foods, materials technology, and the environment; consider establishing a joint research center and promoting technology transfer through connections between businesses, associations, and academic institutions; and promote cooperation programs on science and technology within the framework of the EU or trilateral cooperation mechanisms.

Agriculture

19. Both sides agreed to negotiate and sign an Agreement on Cooperation in Agriculture and Livestock to elevate cooperation in this field into a substantive strategic cooperation pillar, maximizing the potential and strengths of each side in terms of arable land as well as scientific and technical capabilities in agriculture and livestock to bring about mutual benefits.

20. Both sides affirmed their commitment to strengthening the exchange of information on regulations, standards, and technical requirements related to quality control and food safety in the agricultural, forestry, and fisheries sectors; cooperating in building direct agricultural supply chains between the two countries; developing joint models for applying technology in agricultural production; and promoting cooperation in research and exchange of plant and animal breeds, biotechnology, and animal feed production.

Culture, Sports and Tourism

21. Both sides agreed to promote existing cooperation mechanisms such as the Cultural Cooperation Program for the period 2024-2026 to coordinate the organization of cultural weeks, photo exhibitions, music and film exchanges, and other activities on major holidays of both countries, and to commemorate milestone anniversaries 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. Both sides agreed to strengthen effective cooperation in the field of labor on the basis of the Labor Cooperation Agreement signed in 2018.

26. Both sides agreed to deepen cooperation in the field of labor migration and strengthen cooperation in vocational training through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Interior of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Ministry of Labour 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, particularly in key areas such as social inclusion, sustainable economic growth, and environmental resilience, including the integration of cooperation frameworks such as the Team Europe Initiative and the Global Gateway Programme.

Medical

29. Both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in the field of public health care and preventive medicine; expand opportunities for exchanging experiences in the areas of training high-quality medical personnel, pharmaceutical research and development, biotechnology, and e-health. Both sides agreed to promote the signing of an intergovernmental cooperation agreement or implementation plan in the field of health.

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

30. Both sides expressed their readiness to strengthen cooperation between local governments with similar economic, geographical, and cultural characteristics, as well as between social and professional organizations, to leverage complementary strengths, promote connectivity in areas such as trade, investment, education, and cultural exchange, thereby bringing practical benefits and strengthening the friendship between Vietnam and Bulgaria.

31. Both sides are ready to facilitate regular exchanges and cooperation between people's organizations and friendship associations of the two countries during major events of both sides; and to sign more new cooperation documents to further strengthen relations between the two countries.

32. Both sides will facilitate the Vietnamese community in Bulgaria and Bulgarian citizens residing in Vietnam, enabling them to continue making 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. Both 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 security, and coordinate in promoting sustainable development, trade liberalization and regional economic integration.

36. Both sides affirmed that Vietnam and Bulgaria support multilateralism, fully respect and abide by international law, and resolve disputes peacefully on the basis of international law, especially the United Nations Charter, without the use or threat of force. Both sides emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and stability, ensuring security, safety, and freedom of navigation, overflight, and trade without hindrance, 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. Both sides affirmed the important role of high-level visits in strengthening traditional friendship and opening up prospects for effective and substantive cooperation between Vietnam and Bulgaria, for the benefit of the people of both countries, and for peace, stability, and development in the region.

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

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/chinh-tri/tuyen-bo-chung-viet-nam-va-bulgaria-ve-thiet-lap-doi-tac-chien-luoc-20251024054316641.htm