Vietnam - Finland establish strategic partnership

On the morning of October 21 (local time), the welcoming ceremony for General Secretary To Lam and his wife Ngo Phuong Ly and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation on an official visit to the Republic of Finland at the invitation of Finnish President Alexander Stubb was solemnly held at the Presidential Palace. President of the Republic of Finland Alexander Stubb and his wife presided over the official welcoming ceremony.

This is the highest-level visit by a Vietnamese leader to Finland, demonstrating Vietnam's deep respect for the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation with Finland.

Important milestones

Immediately after the welcoming ceremony, General Secretary To Lam held talks with President Alexander Stubb. Pleased to welcome General Secretary To Lam, President Alexander Stubb affirmed that the visit is an important milestone in the history of the relationship between the two countries and that despite the many fluctuations in the world context, the relationship between the two countries continues to develop strongly. Highly appreciating the first official visit of the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam to Finland since the two countries established diplomatic relations, President Alexander Stubb affirmed that Finland always attaches importance to developing relations with Vietnam - Finland's most important trade partner in Southeast Asia, and expressed his hope that through the visit, the two countries will have important steps to develop cooperation in many potential fields.

Expressing his joy at visiting the beautiful and hospitable country of Finland and meeting President Alexander Stubb again, General Secretary To Lam affirmed that Vietnam always values ​​the traditional friendship with Finland; remembers Finland's support for Vietnam in the country's reconstruction and development and expressed his wish that Finland will continue to be a reliable partner and companion in Vietnam's new era of development. General Secretary To Lam also conveyed the regards of Vietnam's senior leaders and an invitation to visit Vietnam to President Alexander Stubb.

President Alexander Stubb and his wife hosted the official welcoming ceremony for General Secretary To Lam and his wife on their official visit to the Republic of Finland.

PHOTO: VNA

During the talks, the two leaders discussed major strategic orientations to develop the bilateral relationship to match its current stature. The two sides agreed to promote cooperation in many areas, especially in areas that the two sides need to promote development in the coming time such as circular economy, green transformation, sustainable maritime cooperation, digital transformation, environment and climate change response...

The two sides agreed to effectively exploit the Vietnam - EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), creating favorable conditions for businesses of both sides to promote and seek cooperation opportunities, especially in the fields of agricultural products, consumer goods, etc. General Secretary To Lam emphasized that Vietnam always welcomes and creates favorable conditions for Finnish businesses to invest in Vietnam and is ready to work with Finland to act as a bridge to access the EU and ASEAN markets, thereby promoting stronger development of Vietnam - EU and Finland - ASEAN cooperation in the coming time. General Secretary To Lam asked Finland to speak up to urge the remaining 7 EU member countries to soon ratify the Vietnam - EU Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) as well as urge the European Commission (EC) to soon remove the "yellow card" on illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing for Vietnam's seafood exports. General Secretary To Lam suggested that Finland encourage its businesses to increase investment in Vietnam in areas where Finland has strengths such as green technology, processing technology, energy conversion, logistics services, etc.

In response to the Finnish President's appreciation for the integration and contributions of the Vietnamese community in the host country, General Secretary To Lam sincerely thanked the Finnish government and people for always paying attention and supporting the Vietnamese community in Finland to live, study and work stably. The General Secretary expressed his hope that Finland would continue to pay attention and create more favorable conditions for the Vietnamese community to continue integrating and contributing effectively to the host society, serving as an important bridge to promote friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

Discussing regional and international issues, including regional security issues, the two sides stressed the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the region and the world; supporting the settlement of disputes by peaceful means, on the basis of respect for international law, calling for restraint and ending conflicts. Regarding the East Sea issue, the two sides supported ASEAN's common viewpoint on freedom of navigation and aviation, resolving disagreements by peaceful means on the basis of international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982), thereby actively contributing to peace and stability in the region and the world.

General Secretary To Lam and President of Finland Alexander Stubb after the signing ceremony of cooperation documents.

PHOTO: VNA

On this occasion, General Secretary To Lam and Finnish President Alexander Stubb witnessed the signing ceremony of Vietnam - Finland cooperation documents. The signed cooperation documents include: Memorandum of Understanding on bilateral cooperation in the field of environment, biodiversity and climate change between the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment of Vietnam and the Ministry of Environment of Finland; Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Finance of Vietnam and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland on supporting and promoting the preparation and implementation of projects funded under the Finnish Public Investment Program; Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Finance of Vietnam and the Finnish Export Credit Agency.

Promote cooperation in various fields

On the same day, meeting with Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, General Secretary To Lam informed about some important results of the talks with President Alexander Stubb, affirming that Vietnam is ready to cooperate closely with Finland to elevate the relationship on key pillars such as politics - diplomacy, defense - security, science - technology and digital transformation, education - training, environment and climate change response, culture and people-to-people exchange; affirming that Vietnam is ready to work with Finland to act as a bridge and promote cooperation between Vietnam - EU and Finland - ASEAN.

The two sides agreed to promote cooperation in all fields, from politics to economics - trade, investment, education - training, cooperation between localities and many other fields. General Secretary To Lam emphasized that the two countries need to increase delegation exchanges and contacts at high levels and at all levels on cooperation channels to promote bilateral cooperation. Regarding economics, trade and investment, the General Secretary emphasized that Finland is a very potential trade partner of Vietnam in Northern Europe and asked Finland to cooperate and share experiences with Vietnam in building a circular economy; at the same time, encourage Finnish businesses to increase investment in Vietnam, especially in Finland's strong sectors such as maritime cooperation, renewable energy, environment, processing technology, etc. The General Secretary asked Finland to support the EC to soon remove the IUU "yellow card" for Vietnam's seafood exports.

The two sides discussed the international and regional situation and issues of mutual concern; affirmed close coordination and mutual support at multilateral forums; and supported the Vietnam-EU relationship. The two sides stressed the importance of maintaining peace, stability, cooperation and development in each region and in the world, on the basis of international law and the UN Charter.

On this occasion, General Secretary To Lam conveyed Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's invitation to visit Vietnam to Prime Minister Petteri Orpo.

Also on October 21, General Secretary To Lam and the Vietnamese high-ranking delegation met with leaders of several typical Finnish enterprises and visited the Experience Center - Nokia's headquarters in Finland.

Joint Statement on the Establishment of Vietnam - Finland Strategic Partnership

During the official visit of General Secretary To Lam and his wife along with the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation to Finland at the invitation of Finnish President Alexander Stubb from October 20-22, the two sides issued a Joint Statement on the establishment of a Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and Finland. In it, the two sides affirmed the principles and set out major orientations to promote and strengthen cooperation, develop the traditional friendship and the Vietnam-Finland Strategic Partnership for the long-term interests of the two peoples, for peace, stability, cooperation and sustainable development in each region and in the world.

General Secretary To Lam and his wife will pay an official visit to Bulgaria.

According to the announcement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at the invitation of President of the Republic of Bulgaria Rumen Radev, General Secretary To Lam and his wife along with a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation will pay an official visit to Bulgaria from October 22-24.

Dau Tien Dat

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/viet-nam-phan-lan-thiet-lap-quan-he-doi-tac-chien-luoc-185251021225837609.htm