Prime Minister of Vietnam Le Minh Hung and his visiting Slovak counterpart Robert Fico signed the joint statement on the upgrade of Vietnam-Slovakia relations following their talks in Hanoi on April 13.

The two sides agreed to assign their Ministries of Foreign Affairs to develop an action plan to effectively implement the new partnership framework, ensuring that cooperation is translated into concrete and practical outcomes.

The two PMs also witnessed the exchange of cooperation documents and jointly held a press briefing to announce the outcomes of their talks.

Speaking at the press briefing, Prime Minister Hung emphasised the special significance of the visit, noting that it was among the first high-level diplomatic engagements following Vietnam’s recent consolidation of its leadership apparatus. He also highlighted that the visit reflects Slovakia’s strong commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Vietnam.

The Vietnamese Prime Minister stressed that the elevation of ties to a Strategic Partnership reflects a high level of political trust and opens a new space for broader cooperation.

Both sides agreed to strengthen collaboration across key pillars, including political–diplomatic relations, trade and investment, defence and security, science and technology, innovation and digital transformation, education and training, labour cooperation, culture, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges, he said.

He also expressed appreciation for Slovakia’s recognition of the Vietnamese community as its 14th ethnic minority group, describing it as an important legal foundation enabling the Vietnamese community to integrate into their host society and contribute to bilateral relations.

For his part, Prime Minister Fico stated that the talks were frank, constructive, and highly successful. He affirmed that Vietnam–Slovakia relations are developing positively with a high level of political trust and no outstanding political issues between the two countries.

He noted that Vietnam is currently Slovakia’s largest trading partner in Southeast Asia. However, he said, economic and trade cooperation still falls short of its potential. He voiced Slovakia’s readiness to expand cooperation with Vietnam in areas such as defense industry, finance, education and training, energy, and particularly nuclear power development.

A large Slovak business delegation also accompanied the Prime Minister during the visit and participated in the Vietnam–Slovakia Business Forum, aiming to enhance investment ties and transform political commitments into concrete economic results.

Fico also expressed interest in strengthening tourism cooperation, facilitating people-to-people exchanges, and establishing a direct flight route between Vietnam and Slovakia. He thanked Vietnam for its visa exemption policy for Slovak citizens and reiterated Slovakia’s commitment to supporting closer bilateral connectivity.

At the conclusion of the talks, both sides reaffirmed their determination to effectively implement the newly established Strategic Partnership framework, contributing to peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and the world.

On this occasion, ministries, agencies, and local authorities of both countries exchanged multiple cooperation documents across a wide range of sectors, including defence industry, foreign affairs; culture, nuclear energy research, and quality standardisation.

Slovak PM Robert Fico warmly welcomed in Hanoi on official visit

VOV.VN - Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung hosted a welcoming ceremony for his Slovak counterpart Robert Fico who is on an official three-day visit to Vietnam, at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi on April 13.