State President Luong Cuong hosted a reception on August 15 in Hanoi for Finnish Ambassador to Vietnam Keijo Norvanto, who paid a farewell visit at the end of his tenure.

The State President congratulated the Ambassador on a successful tenure in Vietnam, during which he made positive contributions to consolidating the traditional friendship and all-around cooperation between the two nations.

He stressed that Vietnam always values Finland’s role and position within the European Union (EU) and pledges to deepen cooperation across various fields. He also expressed appreciation for Finland’s longstanding support over the decades, which has significantly contributed to Vietnam’s nation-building and development.

Highlighting that bilateral ties, with a history of over 50 years, have achieved many positive results, the Vietnamese State leader noted that both nations’ senior leaders have maintained contact at multilateral forums. Bilateral trade and investment have remained stable, with new developments in areas where Finland has strengths and Vietnam has demand, such as digital transformation, information and communications technology, agriculture and forestry, and renewable energy.

Ambassador Norvanto, in turn, affirmed that the two countries have enjoyed more than five decades of cooperative development. He stated that his tenure coincided with a period of profound economic transformation in both nations and globally, including in digital and green transitions.

He said he was honoured to help beef up cooperation in education and training, research, and innovation between the two countries, and expressed hope to further boost co-operation in these fields in the future.

Impressed by Vietnam’s “four pillar resolutions” for national development in the new era, Ambassador Norvanto affirmed that Finland is ready to cooperate and support Vietnam in effectively implementing these strategic directions. He also showed interest in working together to improve legislative processes and advance judicial reform.

As an active EU member, the Ambassador reiterated Finland’s strong support for enhancing Vietnam–EU relations and effectively implementing the EU–Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA). He noted that Finnish businesses in Vietnam will continue to cooperate actively with Vietnamese partners for mutual development.

Agreeing with the Ambassador’s remarks, the State President highly valued Finland’s continued prioritisation of support for Vietnam in carrying out projects in healthcare, electricity, water supply and drainage, waste treatment, and fire prevention and control. The two sides have also signed memoranda of understanding on education and training, labour, natural resources, the environment, and agriculture.

The State leader reaffirmed Vietnam’s consistent foreign policy of peace, independence, self-reliance, friendship, cooperation, and development; multilateralisation and diversification; and being an active, responsible member of the international community.

Both sides agreed to continue supporting each other at regional and international forums, especially at the United Nations, upholding multilateralism based on international law, and resolving disputes through peaceful means in accordance with international law.

President Cuong expressed his hope that in his new position, the Ambassador will continue to serve as a bridge to promote Vietnam-Finland relations in a more substantive manner, effectively implementing existing cooperation mechanisms and agreements, maximising potential, and opening new cooperation avenues in areas where Finland has strengths and Vietnam has needs.

He also wished that Ambassador Keijo Norvanto would always cherish fond memories of Vietnam’s land and people, and, in any future role, remain a close friend of Vietnam, continuing to nurture the friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

Top Finnish legislator's visit expected to boost Vietnam-Finland cooperation

The visit to Vietnam by Speaker of the Parliament of Finland Jussi Halla-aho from March 24-26 is expected to help strengthen the cooperative relations between the two countries in various areas, said Don Tuan Phong, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly (NA)’s Committee for Foreign Affairs.