Top legislator supports stronger Vietnam – Bulgaria cooperation

Man noted with satisfaction the fact that the two countries have built a trustworthy political relationship through regular exchanges and visits at various levels, especially high-level delegations.

He appreciated the Bulgarian parliament for quickly ratifying the Investment Protection Agreement between Vietnam and the European Union (EVIPA) just before the Bulgaria visit of the Vietnamese National Assembly Chairman in September 2023.

He urged Bulgaria to support the European Commission (EC) in lifting the ‘yellow card’ on Vietnam’s seafood exports, taking into account the country’s determination, efforts, and positive results in seriously implementing the EC’s recommendations on sustainable fisheries development.

Radev for his part expressed his impression and congratulations on Vietnam’s socio-economic development and the country’s modernization efforts in recent years. He also praised its practical and open foreign policies with countries around the world to promote security in the region and Southeast Asia in particular.

The Bulgarian President noted that the EU and Vietnam have signed several important agreements, such as the EU-Vietnam free trade agreement (EVFTA) and EVIPA, which represent the political will and framework for both sides to promote cooperation in areas such as the economy, investment, science, and technology. He also voiced Bulgaria’s commitment to serving as a bridge to strengthen the comprehensive partnership between the European Union and Vietnam.

Regarding cooperation between the two countries’ parliaments, Man said that the Vietnamese National Assembly seeks to further enhance cooperation with the Bulgarian parliament, especially after both sides signed a new cooperation agreement in 2023.

To further boost cooperation between the two parliaments and deepen Vietnam-Bulgaria relations, the National Assembly Chairman proposed that the President support the two parliaments in maintaining high-level delegation exchanges and fostering interactions between the friendship group of parliamentarians, young lawmakers, and female parliamentarians.

He also emphasized the importance of coordinating oversight and effectively implementing the agreements between the two governments, while maintaining contacts, consultations, cooperation, and mutual support at multilateral parliamentary forums, as well as on regional and global issues of mutual interest.

Meanwhile, President Radev affirmed that Bulgaria will always be a friend and supporter of Vietnam, even at the European Parliament. He expressed Bulgaria’s readiness to support Vietnam with regard to the lifting of the yellow card, to import more Vietnamese products and also export industrial products, pharmaceuticals, and other items in which Bulgaria has a competitive advantage.

In the current complex regional and global context, the two leaders stressed the need for the two countries to increase the political and diplomatic trust and promote cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, health care, education, security, defense, and tourism, among others.

Both sides praised the important contributions made by the Vietnamese and Bulgarian communities in each country’s development, helping to foster the traditional friendship between the two peoples.

Radev expressed Bulgaria’s pride in having trained over 30,000 Vietnamese students and stated that Bulgaria would work with both the Government and National Assembly of Vietnam to promote labour cooperation, hoping for more Vietnamese people to come to work and study in Bulgaria.

Bulgaria is eager to receive more investment from Vietnam, he told his host.

Bulgarian President Rumen Radev arrived in Hanoi on November 24 for a five-day official visit to Vietnam at the invitation of President Luong Cuong.