Dublin (VNA) – Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and Ireland’s Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence Micheál Martin agreed onorientations and measures to strengthen the relations between the two countriesin the time ahead, during their talks in Ireland on February 29.

At the talks, heldas part of Son’s official visit to Ireland, Martin welcomed the visit, thefirst to Ireland by a Vietnamese foreign minister over the past 20 years, and congratulatedthe Southeast Asian nation on its socio-economic achievements.

Speaking highly ofVietnam’s position and role in the region and the world, the host said Irelandviews the country as a leading partner in the Asia-Pacific, and that Irishpeople give special sentiments to Vietnam.

For his part, Son affirmedthe importance Vietnam attaches to its relations with Ireland, and its wish toenhance political trust and deepen multi-faceted cooperation between the twocountries, for sustainable development, and for peace, cooperation anddevelopment in the region and the world at large.

For measures tofoster the bilateral collaboration in politics and diplomacy, the two ministersconsented to step up delegation exchanges and contacts at all levels,especially the high one, raise the efficiency of legislative cooperation,effectively implement cooperation mechanisms, and intensify the closecoordination and mutual support at multilateral forums like the United Nationsand cooperation mechanisms between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations(ASEAN) and the European Union (EU).

Martin said hehopes that Vietnam will soon open its embassy in Ireland to boost the bilateralties.

For economic, tradeand investment cooperation, a pillar of the bilateral relationship, the twosides concurred to maintain their close coordination and maximise the EU-VietnamFree Trade Agreement (EVFTA).

Son suggested Irelandencourage its businesses to invest in Vietnam in the areas which Ireland hasstrengths in and matches Vietnam’s socio-economic development orientationslike digital transformation, energy transition, and high-tech agriculture.

The Irish sideemphasised that Vietnam is a leading trade partner of Ireland, and ample roomremains for the bilateral cooperation in this field.

Martin pledged that Ireland will considerVietnam’s suggestion about the acceleration of the ratification of theEU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA).

Ireland will alsopropose the European Commission (EC) to soon remove its “yellow card” warning onVietnamese seafood, he said, asking Vietnam to facilitate the import ofhigh-quality farm produce and food from Ireland.  

Son hailed Ireland’said projects to Vietnam over the past time, and called on the country tocontinue its official development assistance (ODA), especially in human resourcesdevelopment, support for disadvantaged groups, and the settlement of bomb andmine consequences.

In national defenceand security, the two countries will promote policy consultations and UN peacekeepingtraining for Vietnam, further exchange expertise, and work together to fightorganised, cross-border and high-tech crimes.

The ministers alsoagreed on measures to boost cooperation in education-training, labour, tourismand people-to-people exchange, and exchanged views on cooperation opportunitiesin new, potential spheres like renewable energy, digital economy, and climatechange.

They touched uponregional and international issues of shared concern, and expressed theirsupport for multilateralism and rules-based international order, saying disputesshould be settled by peaceful measures in accordance with the UN Charter.

Regarding the EastSea issue, they shared the stance on ensuring peace, stability, security, cooperationand development in the region, and handling disputes by peaceful measures onthe basis of international law and the UN Charter, and the respect for the 1982UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

On this occasion,the officials signed an agreement to tighten cooperation between the twoministries in the time to come.

While in Ireland, Sonmet with Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann (speaker of the upper house) JerryButtimer, and Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann (speaker of the lower house) SeánÓ Fearghaíl.

The ministerstressed that Vietnam wishes to forge its parliamentary ties with Ireland, thuscontributing to advancing the relationship between the two countries in thecoming time.

The hosts affirmedthe importance they attach to the Vietnam-Ireland relationship, and commendedVietnam’s achievements in socio-economic development, poverty reduction andsocial welfare.

They also notedsupport for a cooperation agreement between the Irish parliament and theVietnamese National Assembly.

The two sides held that substantial opportunitiesremain for the two countries to expand their relations, and agreed to increaseall-level delegation exchanges, including those between committees and workinggroups of the legislatures, while beefing up cooperation at multilateralparliamentary forums like the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the Asia-EuropeParliamentary Partnership (ASEP).

Son also appealedto the Irish parliament to soon ratify the EVIPA and urge the EC to soon liftthe “yellow card” warning on Vietnamese seafood.

Fearghaíl laudedcontributions by the Vietnamese community to Ireland’s scio-economicdevelopment, and promised to help them further integrate into the host society.

The same day, Sonhad a meeting with Honorary Consul of Vietnam in Dublin Patrick GerardMcKillen, during which the minister expressed his belief that the HonoraryConsul will serve as an important bridge of friendship between the twocountries, especially in business-to-business connectivity, education andtraining./.