Vietnam and Poland upgrade relations to strategic partnership
VOV.VN - Vietnam and Poland have upgraded their relations to a Strategic Partnership, opening a new chapter in bilateral cooperation.
Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and his Polish counterpart Donald Tusk announced the upgrade at a joint press conference in Hanoi on October 26, following their talks. The two sides adopted a joint statement establishing the Strategic Partnership and an action plan to strengthen Vietnam–Poland cooperation for 2026–2030.
Speaking at the press conference, Prime Minister Hung welcomed Prime Minister Tusk and the Polish high-ranking delegation on their official visit to Vietnam. He affirmed that Vietnam deeply appreciated and remembered the valuable support and assistance provided by the Polish state and people throughout its history, including the Kiliński ship’s peace mission, landmark projects such as the Vietnam–Poland Friendship Hospital in Nghe An, Vietnam–Poland High School and Ha Long Shipbuilding Company, as well as contributions to preserving heritage in Hue, Hoi An and My Son.
Prime Minister Tusk expressed satisfaction that the visit has fulfilled the commitment to strengthen bilateral relations, describing Vietnam as one of Poland’s leading partners in Asia. He highlighted the two countries’ economic achievements, with Vietnam emerging as a middle-income economy with strong growth and Poland joining the world’s 20 largest economies and serving as a driver of growth in the European Union.
Expanding practical cooperation
Outlining key measures to implement the Strategic Partnership, Prime Minister Hung said the two sides would strengthen political trust through contacts at all levels and across party, state, parliamentary, local and people-to-people channels. They would also consider establishing an intergovernmental committee on economic cooperation to address barriers. Vietnam would actively consider extending visa exemptions for Polish citizens and ask Poland to consider visa-free entry for Vietnamese holders of official passports.
On economic relations, the two countries will make fuller use of the EU–Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), aiming to raise bilateral trade to US$6 billion by 2030. Poland is expected to serve as an important gateway for Vietnamese goods into Central and Eastern Europe, while Vietnam could provide Polish businesses with a platform for accessing ASEAN markets.
Priority areas include green transition, renewable energy, high-tech agriculture, space technology and strategic transport infrastructure. The two sides will also strengthen practical cooperation in defence, cybersecurity, responses to non-traditional security challenges, and the fight against high-tech and transnational crime.
Science, technology and innovation are expected to become a new pillar of cooperation. The two countries will promote the role of their Joint Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation and focus on areas where Poland has strengths, including geology, strategic mineral extraction, post-harvest technology, aquaculture, disaster warning and heritage conservation.
On culture, education, tourism and people-to-people exchanges, they will expand links between universities and research institutes, promote high-quality vocational training to international standards, and develop cooperation in cultural industries and sports. The two Prime Ministers also welcomed LOT Polish Airlines’ plan to resume direct flights between Warsaw and Hanoi, tentatively scheduled for the first quarter of 2027.
Shared commitment to peace
The two leaders shared a vision of a multipolar world order based on international law and the central role of the United Nations. They underscored the importance of maritime security, safety and freedom of navigation, and reaffirmed their commitment to resolving disputes peacefully in accordance with the UN Charter and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Prime Minister Tusk praised the openness, sincerity and mutual trust between the two governments. He said that Vietnam and Poland, drawing on their histories and experiences of war and international relations, could make positive contributions to peace. Poland, he stressed, supported a just peace that respected the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states and an international order based on law.
The Polish Prime Minister also called for more balanced bilateral trade and better conditions for Polish businesses seeking to invest in pharmaceuticals and information technology, and to export agricultural and food products to Vietnam.
Both leaders expressed confidence that the Strategic Partnership would bring prosperity to their peoples and contribute to peace, stability and prosperity in Asia, Europe and the wider world.
Before the press conference, the two Prime Ministers witnessed the signing and exchange of two cooperation documents on higher education and scientific research, and on tourism cooperation between their relevant ministries and agencies.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warmly welcomed in Hanoi on Vietnam visit
VOV.VN - Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung hosted an official welcoming ceremony for Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk in Hanoi on October 26, during the latter’s official visit to Vietnam from October 24 to 26.
