Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang met with Malta’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade Ian Borg, and held talks with Deputy Minister for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade Christopher Cutajar during her official visit to Malta on September 9-10.

At her meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ian Borg, Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang congratulated Malta on its recent important achievements and thanked Malta for consistently supporting Vietnam at both bilateral and multilateral forums, particularly within the European Union (EU).

She stressed that Vietnam attaches importance to relations with Malta and expressed the wish to expand and strengthen cooperation through exchanges at various levels and channels, while further promoting the role of the two foreign ministries. She also welcomed the holding of political consultations between the foreign ministries of Vietnam and Malta.

Reaffirming Malta’s close attention to its relations with Vietnam, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ian Borg spoke highly of the visit by Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang, the first by a representative of the Vietnamese Government to Malta.

He emphasized that Malta values enhancing ties with Vietnam within bilateral frameworks as well as in cooperation with the EU, supports the early upgrade of Vietnam–EU relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, and stands ready to serve as Vietnam’s gateway to the EU. He also expressed the hope that Vietnam would support Malta in strengthening relations with ASEAN.

The two sides discussed specific measures to beef up cooperation across multiple fields, especially in economics, trade, education, training, science and technology, and maritime affairs. Minister Ian Borg agreed with Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang’s proposal to support Vietnam in improving product quality to meet EU standards, to advocate for the European Council to lift the IUU yellow card, and to bolster maritime cooperation, including seafarer training, marine and ocean research, and maritime law.

They also agreed to expand cooperation in areas where Malta has strengths and Vietnam has demand, such as science and technology, health tourism, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, as well as to enhance cultural and artistic exchanges and people-to-people exchanges, thereby strengthening mutual understanding and connections between the two peoples.

On regional and international issues of mutual concern, Minister Ian Borg reaffirmed the importance of international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), in dealing with maritime and ocean-related matters, and voiced support for ASEAN’s stance on the East Sea.

On September 9, Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang held talks with Deputy Minister for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade Christopher Cutajar, joined by Anton Buttigieg, Director General of the Malta Chamber of Commerce.

The two sides reviewed bilateral cooperation and consented to effectively carry out commitments and agreements at both bilateral and multilateral levels, while accelerating the signing of documents to provide a legal framework for long-term cooperation.

Deputy Minister Cutajar expressed his admiration for Vietnam’s dynamic socio-economic development and its foreign policy of multilateralization and diversification, being a friend to all countries. He also thanked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for its thorough arrangements for his visit to Vietnam in December 2024.

The two sides concurred to deepen Vietnam-Malta economic cooperation, facilitate businesses from both countries in exploring each other’s markets, and intensify trade and investment activities through roundtables and economic forums.

They also agreed upon fully utilizing the EU–Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and urged the EU to soon ratify the EU–Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), which would enhance investment flows between Vietnam and the EU, including Malta.

As a country with strengths in maritime and shipping, Malta reaffirmed its readiness to augment cooperation with Vietnam in training sailors and seafarers to international standards, developing tourism, and speeding up the signing of maritime cooperation agreements.

Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang thanked the Maltese Government for supporting the Vietnamese community in Malta and asked for continued assistance to help them live and work stably and integrate well into local society.

On this occasion, Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang also visited Maritime MT, a maritime training center. Acknowledging Malta’s proposal to beef up cooperation with Vietnam in maritime training and attract Vietnamese students to study at the center, she hailed the effectiveness of Maritime MT’s training programs and affirmed that she would promote cooperative links with Vietnamese universities, centers and maritime research institutes.

Favorable foundations present for enhanced Vietnam-Malta cooperation: ambassador

The Vietnam-Malta ties have experienced positive developments since the establishment of diplomatic relations, Vietnamese Ambassador to Italy and Malta Duong Hai Hung has affirmed.