Party General Secretary To Lam had a meeting with Bulgarian Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov in Sofia on October 24 as part of his official visit to Bulgaria.

Party General Secretary To Lam and Bulgarian Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov witness the exchange of a letter of intent on enhancing defence cooperation between the two defence ministries.

PM Zhelyazkov congratulated Vietnam on its socio-economic development achievements, affirming that Vietnam is one of Bulgaria’s most important and reliable partners in Southeast Asia.

The host considered the visit and the establishment of the Strategic Partnership, coinciding with the 75th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties, as a historic landmark in the countries' relations that creates a new driving force for their traditional friendship to reach a new height.

For his part, General Secretary Lam reiterated that Vietnam treasures its traditional friendship with Bulgaria and always keeps in mind the valuable assistance extended by the Bulgarian people during both the country's past struggle for national liberation and its present cause of national development.

He briefed his host on the outcomes of his talks with President Rumen Radev and the adoption of a joint statement on upgrading bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership, a milestone that opens up a new chapter and creates fresh momentum for extensive, substantive, and effective cooperation for the benefit of both peoples.

The two leaders agreed to enhance political trust, boost high-level mutual visits and meetings between the countries' Parties, States, Governments, and parliaments, and promote people-to-people exchanges.

They underlined the role of the two foreign ministries in enhancing bilateral cooperation, and pledged joint efforts to implement the Strategic Partnership and effectively leverage existing mechanisms such as the Intergovernmental Committee and the Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation.

They also agreed to explore new cooperation mechanisms matching the upgraded ties.

Highlighting economic, trade, and investment connections as the main impetus of bilateral relations, the two leaders emphasised the need for both countries to fully tap opportunities offered by the EU – Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), strengthen supply chain resilience, and expand logistics connectivity via seaports, with the goal of doubling bilateral trade in the coming years.

The Vietnamese leader affirmed that Vietnam stands ready to facilitate the entry of Bulgarian products into its domestic and ASEAN markets, while hoping Bulgaria will serve as a gateway for Vietnamese goods to the EU, reduce trade barriers, and support Vietnamese businesses to invest in Bulgaria.

General Secretary Lam also proposed further stepping up cooperation in traditional fields such as education and training, culture and tourism, health care, labour, and agriculture.

He called on Bulgaria to persuade the European Commission to soon lift the “yellow card” warning on Vietnam’s seafood exports and to accelerate the signing of an intergovernmental agreement on healthcare collaboration.

PM Zhelyazkov expressed Bulgaria’s readiness to closely coordinate with the Vietnamese Government in effectively implementing the Strategic Partnership.

At the meeting, both host and guest noted the vast potential for cooperation in new areas such as digital transformation, the digital economy, artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, and e-government.

They underlined the commitment to making science and technology an important pillar of the Vietnam – Bulgaria Strategic Partnership.

General Secretary Lam also called on Bulgarian authorities to continue supporting eligible Vietnamese citizens in obtaining Bulgarian nationality and helping the Vietnamese community integrate more deeply into local society, thus contributing to the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation between the two countries.

In addition, both sides agreed to maintain close coordination and mutual support at international forums, particularly within the UN and ASEAN – EU frameworks, and to work together in addressing global challenges including climate change, energy security, and sustainable development.

The General Secretary also took this occasion to convey PM Pham Minh Chinh's invitation to visit Vietnam to PM Zhelyazkov.

Vietnamese Party General Secretary holds talks with Finnish President in Helsinki

General Secretary Lam affirmed that Vietnam always treasures its traditional friendship with Finland and appreciates Finland’s support for Vietnam in its post-war national reconstruction and development. He expressed his hope that Finland will continue to be a reliable partner and companion in Vietnam’s new era of development.

 

Finland greets Vietnamese Party chief with welcome ceremony

Vietnam highly values its longstanding partnership with Finland, Party General Secretary To Lam stressed, believing that this visit will open up a new chapter of bilateral relations, contributing to peace, stability, and development in the regions and the world.

 

Party General Secretary begins official visit to Finland

The visit demonstrates a new stride in the two countries' connections, creating momentum for shaping strategic cooperation in future areas.

 

Party chief’s trip to Finland to create new momentum for bilateral ties: official

The trip carries a message of sincere affection and the deep regard of the Party, State, and people of Vietnam for Finland - a country that actively supported Vietnam in its past struggle for national defence and continues to assist in the current national construction and development process, Hang said, adding that Finland was one of the first Nordic countries to recognise and establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam.

 

Deputy PM meets with Russian counterpart, receives leaders of Russian enterprises in Moscow

Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son affirmed that the Vietnamese Government supports enterprises of both countries in proactively engaging in direct exchanges, signing, and implementing cooperation agreements and projects in accordance with their respective countries’ laws and international law, thus ensuring a balance of interests, and creating new symbols of the Vietnam–Russia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for decades to come.

 

Party leader welcomes Murphy Oil’s expansion plan in Vietnam’s oil-gas sector

Party General Secretary To Lam welcomed the US-based Murphy Oil Corporation’s plan to expand and increase its investment in oil and gas exploration and production in Vietnam during a meeting with its President and CEO Eric Hambly in Hanoi on October 15.