Vietnam and Bulgaria nurture relations to new heights

Ambassador Nguyen Thi Minh Nguyet and Bulgarian Foreign Minister Georg Georgiev.

At the reception, Minister Georg Georgiev congratulated Ambassador Nguyen Thi Minh Nguyet on taking office at a time of special significance in the relationship between the two countries - the 75th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-Bulgaria diplomatic relations (1950–2025).

Minister Georg Georgiev affirmed that Bulgaria always considers Vietnam as a leading important partner in the Asia- Pacific region. With the foundation of traditional friendship and positive developments in recent times, the Minister assessed that Vietnam and Bulgaria have all the conditions to upgrade their relationship, in line with the long-term vision and political determination of the two countries' senior leaders.

According to Minister Georgiev, there is still a lot of room for cooperation between the two countries, especially in the context of the world restructuring the supply chain and countries aiming to increase strategic autonomy. Appreciating the nearly 30% increase in bilateral trade turnover in 2024, Minister Georgiev said that this is a positive signal showing the potential of the two countries' markets.

On that basis, the two sides need to continue to effectively utilize the Vietnam-European Union Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the Vietnam-EU Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) to promote investment flows, expand markets and strengthen economic connectivity. The Minister also suggested that the two sides actively coordinate to review the possibility of signing cooperation documents and propose priority orientations, aiming to develop bilateral relations more substantially and effectively.

Vietnam and Bulgaria nurture relations to new heights

Overview of the working session.

Acknowledging that people-to-people cultural exchange cooperation between the two countries has a good history of development, with the contributions of more than 30,000 Vietnamese people who have lived, studied and worked in Bulgaria, Minister Georgiev said Bulgaria prioritizes facilitating visa policies to support economic activities, investment, tourism and people-to-people exchange with Vietnam.

For her part, Ambassador Nguyen Thi Minh Nguyet affirmed that Vietnam always attaches importance to and wishes to promote comprehensive cooperation with Bulgaria. On this occasion, the Ambassador respectfully invited Minister Georgiev and leaders of the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to attend the ceremony to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the 75th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-Bulgaria diplomatic relations, scheduled to be held in September 2025 in the capital Sofia.

The two sides agreed to continue to increase delegation exchanges at all levels, soon resume the Deputy Foreign Minister-level Political Consultation mechanism, and coordinate preparations for the 25th meeting of the Vietnam-Bulgaria Intergovernmental Committee on economic, trade, scientific and technological cooperation in 2026.

The meeting took place in a sincere, open and constructive atmosphere, demonstrating the political determination and goodwill of both sides in developing the Vietnam-Bulgaria relationship more comprehensively, substantially and effectively in the coming time.

Vietnam and Bulgaria nurture relations to new heights