President’s Austria visit to help boost bilateral cooperation, multilateral diplomacy
President Vo Van Thuong’s upcoming official visit to Austria will help promote bilateral cooperation and multilateral diplomacy, Vietnamese Ambassador to Austria Nguyen Trung Kien has said.
Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son (L) and his Austrian counterpart Alexander Schallenberg. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – President Vo Van Thuong’s upcoming official visit toAustria will help promote bilateral cooperation and multilateral diplomacy,Vietnamese Ambassador to Austria Nguyen Trung Kien has said.
Talking to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s correspondents in Europe,Kien said that this trip is an opportunity for the two countries to enhancetheir well developing relations, and also a chance for the Vietnamese Stateleader to work with representatives from multilateral diplomatic forums,thereby helping affirm Vietnam’s position and role in the international arena.
Within the framework of the visit, President Thuong will attendan official welcome ceremony and hold talks with his Austrian counterpartAlexander Van der Bellen, meet with President of the Federal Council ClaudiaArpa, and have working sessions with the Mayors of Vienna and Burgenlandstates.
In addition, the Vietnamese President will have meetings and working sessions with representatives of international organisations, including the ActingDirector General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). With thesemeetings, President Thuong will affirm the Party and State’s priorities incollaboration with multilateral international organisations.
He is also scheduled to have meetings with representativesof the Vietnamese communities in Austria and several European countries.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Austria Nguyen Trung Kien. (Photo: Markus Toyfl)
Regarding bilateral relations, Kien said that therelationship between Vietnam and Austria is one of the important relations inVietnam's ties with Europe. In 1972, Austria was one of the first Europeannations to set up diplomatic relations with Vietnam. Since then, the twocountries have deepened their cooperation in all fields, from politics toeconomy, trade, investment, culture and education.
Austria is always among Vietnam’s top 10 trading partners inthe EU, with two-way trade reaching nearly 4 billion USD before the COVID-19 pandemic broke out. Since the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) took effect, theturnover has improved remarkably. However, Austria’s investment in Vietnamremains modest. Austria currently ranks 41st out of 108 countries andterritories investing in Vietnam with 43 valid projects totaling 148.59 millionUSD.
The diplomat affirmed that there remains ample room tofurther boost the bilateral cooperation, particularly in economy, trade andinvestment.
According to the ambassador, one of the important areas in Vietnam’s relationswith Austria is cooperation in science – technology, which is the European country’sstrength. Science - technology will help Vietnam develop manufacturing industries,while Austria also sees Vietnam as a centre for production development, inaddition to being an emerging market in Asia./.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
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Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane affirmed that the presence of Vietnamese press offices in Laos vividly demonstrates the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations, as the press is not only a means of communication but also an important bridge for spreading consciousness about the history, values, and strategic depth of the Laos – Vietnam relationship to the people of both countries and the international community.
The country is willing to participate in collective efforts to promote cooperation and mobilise resources to advance the current priority issues of developing countries, such as trade, investment, infrastructure connectivity, making the most of scientific and technological advances for development, and people-to-people exchanges, Hang said.
During the negotiations, the US highly evaluated Vietnam’s goodwill and efforts, affirmed its appreciation for the bilateral relationship, acknowledged Vietnam’s proposals and concerns, and considered these an important basis for continuing discussions and moving towards a final agreement.
The Chairman stressed the need for stricter fiscal discipline, faster digital transformation, and more efficient management of State budget revenues and expenditures.
Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son (L) and his Austrian counterpart Alexander Schallenberg. (Photo: VNA) 
Vietnamese Ambassador to Austria Nguyen Trung Kien. (Photo: Markus Toyfl) 
