Vietnam to boost all-round cooperation with Finland

Hue also said Vietnam wants to expand cooperation with Finland in the fields of high technology, telecommunications, renewable energy, wastewater treatment, and transportation.

“The signing of a new contract today between the Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group (VNPT) and Nokia Corporation of Finland is clear demonstration of cooperation opportunities between the two countries,” he said.

However, Hue noted that Finland’s investment in Vietnam remains modest as its valid FDI capital is just US$23.6 million which is not commensurate with the potential and strengths of both countries.

He suggested that PM Sanna Marin and the Finnish Government support the strengthening of cooperation between the two countries’ business communities to take advantage of the Vietnam - EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) which came into effect last year.

He also suggested that the Finnish Government encourage its businesses to expand investment in Vietnam, and lobby the Finnish Parliament to soon ratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA).

On this occasion, Hue expected that Finland will assist Vietnam in accessing vaccine supplies, ceding unused vaccines, providing medical supplies and helping Vietnam cope with the current pandemic.

He also suggested that the Finnish Government continue to support the training of high-quality human resources for Vietnam, increase the number of scholarships for Vietnamese students, and support the community of approximately 2,500 Vietnamese students currently training in Finland.

For her part, Sarin agreed with Hue’s proposals and emphasized that good education is one of Finland’s important pillars and the key to success in socio-economic development and adaptation to emerging challenges. She affirmed that Finland is willing to cooperate in implementing vocational education and teacher training programmes between the two countries.

In addition, she revealed Finland is now facing challenges of aging population and labour shortages, especially in the agricultural sector, therefore it is encouraging foreign workers, including those from Vietnam, to work in Finland.

NA Chairman Hue welcomed Finland’s idea and affirmed that Vietnam has a young, dynamic labour force that can meet Finland’s requirements.

Exchanging views on issues of mutual concern, they agreed that both Vietnam and Finland should play an active role in connecting and strengthening the newly established ASEAN - EU strategic partnership.

The two sides reaffirmed the principle of rule of law should be fully observed in seas and oceans in order to maintain peace, stability, freedom, safety and security of navigation and aviation, and settle disputes by peaceful means, in line with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).