Top Vietnamese Party and State chief meets world leaders in New York

At the meeting with Bulgarian President Rumen Radev, To Lam affirmed that Vietnam always values and seeks to further enhance multifaceted cooperation with Bulgaria.

He thanked Bulgaria for its support to Vietnam in the past and at present, and at the same time welcomed Radev’s plan to visit Vietnam in the near future. He urged Bulgaria’s further support for the Vietnamese community to help them stabilize their lives and integrate into their host country, serving as a bridge to enhance relations between the two countries.

To Lam also proposed that both sides effectively utilize the European – Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) to promote bilateral relations commensurate with their cooperation potential. He expected that Bulgaria would encourage other EU member states to swiftly ratify the EU-Vietnam investment protection agreement (EVIPA), and the European Commission to lift the ‘yellow card’ against Vietnam’s seafood exports.

Radev for his part acknowledged To Lam’s proposals and affirmed Bulgaria’s commitment to strengthening relations with Vietnam in areas where it has strengths, such as health care, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, information technology, agriculture, environment, and natural resource management. He expressed Bulgaria’s readiness to welcome Vietnamese workers to the country.

Both sides agreed to organize cultural activities to commemorate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 2025.

In his meeting with Finnish President Alexander Stubb, To Lam voiced Vietnam’s desire to develop traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation with Finland. He thanked the North European country for its support to Vietnam, especially in achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs) and recovering from the recent typhoon Yagi.

He appreciated Finland ratifying the EVIPA and emphasized that the EVFTA would open up new cooperation opportunities for businesses in both countries.

The Vietnamese Party General Secretary and President urged both sides to increase visit exchanges, reinforce the effectiveness of existing bilateral cooperation mechanisms, and enhance cooperation in education, training, and cultural and sports exchanges to deepen mutual understanding and strengthen the friendship between the two peoples.

He also called for Bulgaria’s continued attention to the situation in the East Sea and support for the legitimate rights and interests of states in accordance with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Finnish President Stubb affirmed Finland’s commitment to increasing cooperation with Vietnam. He pledged to encourage Finnish businesses to invest in the Southeast Asian country in promising sectors such as telecommunications, renewable energy, water treatment, forestry technology, and information technology. He expressed hope that Vietnam would continue to act as a bridge to promote Finland-ASEAN relations.

Both sides agreed to closely cooperate to maximize opportunities from the EVFTA and to further enhance cooperation and mutual support at multilateral forums, especially at the United Nations and within the ASEAN-EU framework.

The Finnish President extended a respectful invitation for General Secretary and President To Lam to visit Finland in the near future.

During his meeting with Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah, the General Secretary and President expressed Vietnam’s desire to foster friendly relations and multifaceted cooperation with Kuwait. He suggested that both sides continue high-level and various-level exchanges and effectively implement existing cooperation mechanisms.

Vietnam is ready to welcome Kuwaiti businesses to invest in the country’s new fields such as green growth, climate change adaptation, and Halal food processing, said To Lam.

Kuwaiti Crown Prince Khaled Al-Sabah appreciated Vietnam’s socio-economic achievements over nearly 40 years of reform and affirmed that Kuwait considers Vietnam one of its key partners in Southeast Asia.

The Crown Prince expressed Kuwait’s readiness to expand cooperation in tourism, labour, and Halal food sectors with Vietnam, and to support the country in increasing cooperation with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). He agreed to work with Vietnam to address the challenges at the Nghi Son Refinery and Petrochemical Complex, viewing it as a symbol of the success of bilateral relations.

On this occasion, General Secretary and President To Lam invited the Crown Prince, and requested him to convey the invitation to the Kuwaiti King to visit Vietnam at an appropriate time. The Crown Prince accepted the invitation with pleasure.