Vietnam values and wishes to strengthen cooperation with Malta

Việt Nam coi trọng và mong muốn tăng cường hợp tác với Malta

Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang worked with Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism of Malta Ian Borg.

During her working trip to Malta from September 9-10, Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang met with Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism of Malta Ian Borg and worked with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism of Malta Christopher Cutajar.

At a meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malta on the morning of September 10, Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang congratulated Malta on its important achievements in recent times and thanked Malta for always supporting Vietnam in bilateral and multilateral frameworks, especially in the EU.

Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang affirmed the importance of relations with Malta and the wish to expand and strengthen cooperation through delegation exchanges at all levels and through channels; further promote the connecting role of the two countries' foreign ministries and welcomed the organization of political consultations between the Vietnamese and Maltese foreign ministries.

Affirming that he always follows and is interested in promoting relations with Vietnam, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malta highly appreciated the visit of Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang, the first visit by a representative of the Vietnamese government to Malta.

Mr. Ian Borg emphasized that Malta attaches importance to promoting relations with Vietnam within the bilateral framework as well as within the cooperation framework with the EU, supports Vietnam-EU to soon upgrade relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership; is ready to be Vietnam's gateway to the EU, and hopes that Vietnam will support Malta in its relations with ASEAN.

Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang affirmed the importance of relations with Malta and the desire to expand and strengthen cooperation through delegation exchanges at all levels and through channels.

The two sides discussed specific measures to promote cooperation in all aspects, especially in economics, trade, education, training, science and technology and maritime cooperation. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malta agreed with the proposal of Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang on supporting Vietnam to improve product quality to meet EU standards; lobbying the European Council to remove the IUU yellow card; strengthening maritime cooperation including training of crew members, research on seas and oceans, maritime law, etc.

The two sides agreed to expand cooperation in areas of strength for Malta and Vietnam such as science and technology, medical tourism, health care and pharmaceuticals, as well as to enhance cultural and artistic exchanges and people-to-people exchanges, contributing to enhancing understanding and connection between the people of the two countries.

Discussing regional and international issues of mutual concern, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malta affirmed the role of international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982) in resolving issues related to the Sea and Oceans, and supported ASEAN's stance on the East Sea.

Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism of Malta Christopher Cutajar.

Previously on September 9, at a working session with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism Christopher Cutajar with the participation of General Director of the Malta Chamber of Commerce Anton Buttigieg, the two sides reviewed the cooperation situation between the two countries and agreed to coordinate to effectively implement bilateral and multilateral commitments and agreements as well as promote the signing of documents to create a legal framework for long-term cooperation between the two countries.

The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism expressed his impression of Vietnam's socio-economic achievements and dynamic development, as well as Vietnam's foreign policy of multilateralization, diversification, and being a friend to all countries; and thanked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for carefully arranging the visit to Vietnam in December 2024.

The two sides agreed to further deepen Vietnam-Malta economic cooperation, create conditions for businesses of the two countries to learn about each other's markets, promote trade and investment promotion activities of the two countries such as organizing seminars, economic forums, Vietnam-Malta businesses...

The two sides agreed to continue to effectively exploit the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), and urge EU countries to soon ratify the Vietnam-EU Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), thereby helping to increase investment attraction between Vietnam and the EU in general and with Malta in particular.

As a country with strengths in maritime economy and shipping, Malta affirmed its readiness to strengthen cooperation with Vietnam in training sailors and crew members according to international standards, developing tourism, promoting the signing of maritime cooperation agreements, etc.

Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang thanked the Maltese Government for creating favorable conditions for the Vietnamese community in Malta and proposed continuing to care for and support Vietnamese people in Malta to live, do business stably, and integrate with the local community.

Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang visited Maritime MT Training Center.

On this occasion, Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang also visited the operating model of the Maritime MT Maritime Training Center.

Acknowledging the proposal from Malta to strengthen cooperation with Vietnam in the field of maritime training and attract Vietnamese students to participate in training at the Center, Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang highly appreciated the effectiveness of the teaching program at Maritime MT and affirmed that she will promote cooperation with Vietnamese universities, centers and research institutes on maritime.