He told the Vietnamese Government portal that the visit marks a historic milestone in Vietnam – Estonia relations as it is the first official trip by a Vietnamese Prime Minister to the European country. It reflects growing high-level interest in strengthening bilateral relations and highlights Southeast Asia’s increasing importance to Estonia and the European Union.

This visit builds on earlier engagements, including the 2011 visit to Vietnam by then-Estonian Prime Minister Andrus Ansip and the 2018 visit by former Foreign Minister Sven Mikser. It offers a valuable opportunity to both sides to discuss regional and global challenges, deepen political dialogue, and expand cooperation in key areas like digital transformation.

Estonia looks forward to the signing of several cooperation documents, particularly in the fields of digital transformation and political consultation, he said.

Estonia places high hopes on expanding economic cooperation with Vietnam, as the presence of a Vietnamese business delegation during the visit is expected to foster direct business-to-business connections and create new opportunities for trade, investment, and innovation, particularly in the start-up ecosystem, he added.

The diplomat noted that since establishing diplomatic relations in 1992, relations between Vietnam and Estonia have steadily grown across multiple areas through growing high-level exchanges, enhanced people-to-people connections, expanding trade, and effective cooperation in multilateral forums like the United Nations.

Both countries served as non-permanent members of the UN Security Council in 2020–2021, working together to promote a rules-based international order. Estonia values Vietnam’s active and constructive role in regional and global affairs, with the relationship evolving on the basis of mutual respect and shared interests.

The EU - Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) has provided a solid foundation to boost economic cooperation and facilitate growing bilateral trade. Thanks to this agreement, trade between the two countries has steadily increased, with Vietnam becoming an essential part of Estonia’s supply chains.

Emerging areas of cooperation include digital transformation, green technology, education, logistics, and information technology. Estonia’s strengths in digital governance and its vibrant start-up ecosystem align well with Vietnam’s dynamic digital economy. Vietnam is already Estonia’s third largest services export destination in Southeast Asia, with significant room for further growth.

Other sectors such as high-tech manufacturing, consumer goods, and sustainable industries also offer exciting opportunities for future cooperation.

The ambassador expressed his belief that there will be more high-level exchanges and closer cooperation between the two countries at international forums in the years ahead to address global challenges, expand economic ties, and strengthen institutional and academic collaboration.

In the years ahead, both sides anticipate more high-level exchanges and closer cooperation in international forums to address global challenges, expand economic ties, and strengthen institutional and academic collaboration.

This also presents an opportunity to deepen dialogue between the business communities and enhance people-to-people exchanges, he concluded.

PM Chinh to attend UN Ocean Conference in France, visit Estonia and Sweden

VOV.VN - Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, his spouse, and a high-level delegation will attend the third United Nations Ocean Conference in France and pay official visits to Estonia and Sweden from June 5 to 14, according to a June 2 press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.