Politburo Member and Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung welcomes Croatian Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman. (Photo: Quang Hoa)

Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung warmly welcomed and highly appreciated the significance of the first visit by Croatian Foreign Minister to Vietnam since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1994. He affirmed that the visit demonstrates Croatia's regard and determination to promote multifaceted cooperation with Vietnam. He emphasized that Vietnam always values the strengthening and development of relations with traditional friends, with Croatia being a priority partner for Vietnam in the Balkan region.

Providing an overview of Vietnam's situation and discussing bilateral relations, Minister Le Hoai Trung suggested that both sides continue to enhance exchanges at all levels, especially high-level, across Party, State, Government, National Assembly channels, and people-to-people exchanges. He urged increased coordination and sharing of viewpoints at international and regional forums, particularly within the framework of the United Nations, EU, and ASEAN, thereby enhancing mutual understanding, consolidating political trust, and creating new momentum for bilateral relations.

Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung warmly welcomed Minister Gordan Grlić Radman's first official visit to Vietnam since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1994.

Minister Gordan Grlić Radman expressed his pleasure at visiting Vietnam for the first time officially and thanked Vietnam for the warm and thoughtful reception extended to the delegation. He affirmed that Croatia considers Vietnam a top important partner in Southeast Asia and wishes to promote more substantive and effective cooperation in areas of mutual interest such as science and technology, defense and security, smart logistics, maritime economy, tourism, and labor.

The two Ministers agreed that Vietnam-Croatia relations hold vast potential for development, especially in trade and investment, science and technology, defense and security, port operations, and tourism. They concurred on further enhancing the role of the two countries' Foreign Ministries in coordinating bilateral relations and promoting the early establishment of a Joint Committee on Economic Cooperation to review cooperation status, identify directions and specific measures, and address difficulties, thereby improving the effectiveness of trade and investment cooperation between the two countries.

The Foreign Ministers of both countries affirmed their commitment to supporting multilateralism, upholding international law, and enhancing coordination at regional and international forums. (Photo: Quang Hoa)

The two Ministers agreed to encourage businesses from both countries to explore markets, exchange information, and seek investment and cooperation opportunities in areas of strength that align with new development trends such as information technology, cybersecurity, green logistics, new energy, and port cooperation. Minister Le Hoai Trung urged Croatia to continue actively supporting and promoting the remaining EU member states to soon ratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), contributing to creating a more favorable legal framework for investment cooperation between Vietnam and the EU in general, and between Vietnam and Croatia in particular. He also called for advocacy to urge the European Commission (EC) to lift the yellow card on illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing for Vietnam's seafood exports.

Both sides emphasized the prospects for cooperation in education and training, culture, sports, tourism, and labor, agreeing to continue effectively exploiting complementary potentials in line with each country's development needs.

Discussing regional and international issues of mutual concern, the two Ministers affirmed their commitment to supporting multilateralism, upholding international law, resolving disputes by peaceful means, and refraining from the use of force or threats of force. They agreed to continue close coordination at multilateral forums, including the United Nations and ASEAN-EU, contributing to peace, stability, and sustainable development in each region and globally.

During the visit, the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam and the Diplomatic Academy of Croatia signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation witnessed by the Foreign Ministers of both countries.

Minister Le Hoai Trung and Minister Gordan Grlić Radman witness the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam and the Diplomatic Academy of Croatia. (Photo: Quang Hoa)