Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son had a meeting with Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann (Speaker of the Upper House) Jerry Buttimer, and Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann (Speaker of the Lower House) Seán Ó Fearghaíl in Dublin, on February 29, 2024. (Photo: Nhat Phong)

Informing the hosts about the important results achieved during the talks with Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence of Ireland Micheal Martin, Foreign Minister Son emphasized that Vietnam highly values the friendly relations and multifaceted cooperation with Ireland and wishes to forge bilateral parliamentary ties, thus contributing to advancing the relationship between the two countries in the coming time.

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

They also noted support for a cooperation agreement between the Irish parliament and the Vietnamese National Assembly.

The two sides held that substantial opportunities remain for the two countries to expand their relations, and agreed to increase all-level delegation exchanges, including those between committees and working groups of the legislatures, while beefing up cooperation at multilateral parliamentary forums like the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the Asia-Europe Parliamentary Partnership (ASEP).

Overview of the meeting. (Photo: Nhat Phong)

Foreign Minister Son also appealed to the Irish parliament to soon ratify the EVIPA and urge the EC to soon lift the “yellow card” warning on Vietnamese seafood.

Supporting Vietnam's proposals, Speaker of the Upper House Jerry Buttimer also expressed the desire for Vietnam to facilitate the import of agricultural and food products from Ireland.

Both sides also exchanged views on cooperation in various areas such as clearing unexploded ordnance remaining after the war, training Vietnamese military personnel to participate in UN peacekeeping forces, and combating climate change, etc.

Foreign Minister Son proposed that Ireland increase scholarships for Vietnamese students to study in Ireland.

Expressing special sentiment towards Vietnam, Speaker of the Lower House Fearghaíl lauded contributions by the Vietnamese community to Ireland’s scio-economic development, and promised to help them further integrate into the host society.

Speaker of the Upper House Jerry Buttimer also expressed the desire for Vietnam to facilitate the import of agricultural and food products from Ireland. (Photo: Nhat Phong)

The same day, Foreign Minister Son had a meeting with Honorary Consul of Vietnam in Dublin Patrick Gerard McKillen, during which the Foreign Minister expressed his belief that the Honorary Consul will serve as an important bridge of friendship between the two countries, especially in business-to-business connectivity, education and training.