State President receives newly accredited EU ambassadors

Welcoming Uruguayan Ambassador Raul Pollak, President Phuc affirmed that Vietnam attaches great importance to the partnership with Uruguay. As the two countries will celebrate 30 years of their diplomacy in 2023, he proposed the two countries increase visit exchanges to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in various areas

Phuc also suggested that Uruguay create conditions for Vietnamese products to access the South American Common Market (MERCOSUR). He told the diplomat that Vietnam is willing to support Uruguay in penetrating ASEAN and other markets of which Vietnam is a member, including the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

For his part, Ambassador Pollak assured his host that he would do his best to raise the Vietnam – Uruguay relations to new heights during his working term, expecting bilateral trade value to double compared to the current level of US$100 million.

The ambassador expressed Uruguay’s wish to cooperate with Vietnam in the field of climate change, poverty alleviation and many other fields. He also hoped that Vietnam would soon consider opening an embassy in Uruguay.

Receiving Finnish Ambassador Keijo Ensio Norvanto, President Phuc requested that the diplomat help promote trade and investment opportunities from the EU - Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and lobby for early ratification of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA).

As the two-way trade value remains modest at US$400 million, the President expressed his wish the two countries’ trade would grow strongly during the Ambassador’s term. He recalled the recent signing of a cooperation agreement on digital transformation between Vietnam’s VNPT and Finland’s Nokia, suggesting Finland increase its investment in Vietnam’s high technology, telecommunications, digital economy, and renewable energy in future.

Towards the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 2023, President Phuc conveyed his invitation to the Finnish President to visit Vietnam.

At a reception for Austrian ambassador Hans-Peter Glanzer, President Phuc  congratulated Austria on successful control of the COVID-19 pandemic, and proposed Austria assist Vietnam in accessing COVID-19 vaccines, medical equipment and drugs and lobby COVAX to prioritize vaccine delivery to Vietnam.

The President thanked the Austrian Government for providing Vietnam with valuable ODA in the fields of railways, health care, and vocational training among others, contributing to the country’s socio-economic development.

According to Phuc, both countries need to work closely to raise their two-way trade value which only reached US$3.1 billion in 2020, a fall of US$500 million compared to the previous year. He also proposed that Austria soon ratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) to benefit the two sides, including Austria.

Austria currently has 37 valid projects with a total registered capital of US$148 million in Vietnam, ranking 44th out of 130 foreign investors in the country. The early ratification of the EVIPA will contribute to promoting trade and investment between the two countries, he said.

Through the Ambassador, the President invited the President and Prime Minister of Austria to visit Vietnam soon when conditions permit.

Ambassador Glanzer said that Austria has opened an economic and trade office in Ho Chi Minh City, and the ratification of the EVIPA will motivate Austrian businesses to work in Vietnam. The Ambassador also said that Austria is considering providing Vietnam with COVID-19 vaccines.