Poland asked to provide support and temporary shelter for Vietnamese citizens

Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son hosted a reception for Chargé d'Affaires of the Polish Embassy in Hanoi Maciej Duszynski on March 7 in Hanoi, during which he thanked the Polish Government for supporting and facilitating the evacuation of approximately 2,000 Vietnamese from Ukraine to Poland. Indeed, they have provided these citizens with suitable accommodation, medicine, and essential necessities.

The Minister emphasized that this noble and respectful gesture being carried out by the Government and people of Poland, along with the recent donation of 1.4 million Astra Zeneca vaccine doses, eight tonnes of medical equipment and supplies valued at US$4 million is living proof of the traditional ties of friendship. This sentiment between the two peoples of Vietnam and Poland has continued over the past seven decades.

Minister Son told his guest that on March 9 the country will carry out its first evacuation flight aimed at bringing home nearly 300 Vietnamese citizens and their families from Ukraine who are currently present in Poland. This will continue with the another flight organized over the coming days.

The Minister suggested that the Polish side facilitate arrangements for repatriation flights, including the swift issuance of flight permits and support for exit procedures, while simultaneously considering allowing Vietnamese people with long-term residence in Ukraine to continue to stay in Poland until they can return safely.

During the meeting, the Vietnamese diplomat handed over a letter to his Polish counterpart Minister Zbigniew Rau asking for co-ordination and support in citizen protection for Vietnamese citizens evacuated to Poland from Ukraine. He also invited the Polish Foreign Minister to visit the country soon to discuss measures aimed at further promoting ties of traditional friendship and co-operation between both sides.

In response, Duszynski hailed the efforts of the Vietnamese Government in protecting Vietnamese citizens who are currently taking refuge in Poland, including organizing its first flight to bring citizens home as soon as possible.

Furthermore, Duszynski was also appreciative of the citizen protection efforts by the Vietnamese Embassy in Poland. He emphasized that the Polish Government has been creating favourable conditions for citizens of other countries, including Vietnamese citizens, to arrive in Poland from Ukraine. Upon doing so, it will provide maximum support for procedures related to flights to evacuate Vietnamese citizens from Poland.