Vietnam is Poland’s most important partner in Southeast Asia, says Andrzej Duda
VOV.VN - Poland considers Vietnam to be its most important partner in Southeast Asia, and it wants to develop cooperative relations with Vietnam in all areas, President Andrzej Duda told visiting Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh during a meeting in Warsaw on January 16.
Duda highlighted the significance of Chinh’s visit, which he said coincides with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations (1950-2025), viewing it as a milestone to elevate the Poland-Vietnam Comprehensive Partnership.
Chinh for his part appreciated Poland’s solidarity and assistance during Vietnam’s struggles for independence and current socio-economic development efforts.
He emphasized the special significance of the visit as Poland is assuming the Presidency of the European Union (EU) that reflects the country’s increasingly solidified position in the region and on the international stage.
He affirmed that the friendship between the two nations remains steadfast and that Vietnam always values and seeks to strengthen its ties with traditional partners in Central and Eastern Europe, among which Poland stands as one of its top priorities.
Both leaders acknowledged positive developments in Vietnam-Poland relations through regular high-level exchanges across all channels.
Economic and trade relations are a significant highlight in bilateral cooperation, with two-way trade turnover exceeding US$2.5 billion annually since 2020 and reaching US$3.45 billion in 2024, positioning Poland as Vietnam’s largest trading partner in Central and Eastern Europe.
Cooperation in education and training, culture and tourism, and agriculture also achieves important progress.
Duda highly appreciated Vietnam’s decision to waive visas for Polish citizens in 2025, which he said would serve as a catalyst for boosting tourism and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.
Both leaders expressed the desire to elevate Vietnam-Poland relations to a strategic partnership by fostering political trust and mutual understanding. They emphasized further cooperation in education, cultural exchange, and people-to-people diplomacy to leverage shared historical ties.
The leaders agreed to fully and effectively implement the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) to enhance market access. They encouraged Polish businesses to invest in Vietnam’s key sectors, such as digital transformation, pharmaceuticals, food processing, manufacturing, and mining.
They committed to close coordination on multilateral platforms, including the United Nations and ASEAN-EU frameworks, to advance global peace, stability, and development.
Duda voiced his support for early ratification of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA).
Chinh expressed gratitude for Poland’s support of the Vietnamese community, which has significantly contributed to Poland’s socio-economic development.
He on this occasion extended a formal invitation from President Luong Cuong for President Duda to visit Vietnam, and the invitation was accepted with pleasure.
