Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh had talks with Acting Deputy PM and Minister of Finance of Finland Mika Lintila in Helsinki on September 27, as part of his official visit to the European nation.

Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh (L)
and Acting Deputy PM of Finland Mika Lintila

The host welcomed Deputy PM Binh’s visit, saying that it will create a new driving force for the two countries’ relations to continue growing strongly. 

He also affirmed that Finland attaches importance to developing multifaceted cooperation with Vietnam.

At the talks, the two sides shared the view that bilateral ties have enjoyed progress in various spheres and at different levels. They agreed to increase mutual visits and meetings at all levels and continue to effectively implement the existing cooperation mechanisms.

Trade – investment partnerships play an important role in the countries’ relations and have recorded considerable strides. However, they have yet to match both sides’ potential and expectations.

Therefore, Binh asked the Finnish Government to encourage the country’s businesses to invest in Vietnam in the fields they have strength like environment, renewable energy, waste treatment and innovation.

In return, Lintila said the more than 100 Finnish enterprises in Vietnam are making efforts to promote the joint projects with their local partners in the fields matching Finland’s strength and Vietnam’s demand.

The two officials also discussed measures to enhance the countries’ connections in science – technology, education – training, justice, law, and social security system building.

They described the Vietnamese community in Finland as a bridge linking both nations, adding that they will coordinate to create conditions for them to integrate into the local society.

Deputy PM Binh called on Finland to back the comprehensive development of the Vietnam – EU relations. 

The host official said his country supports the ties and hopes that the Vietnam – EU Free Trade Agreement and Investment Protection Agreement will be ratified and take effect as soon as possible so as to benefit all parties and help strengthen economic, trade and investment links between Vietnam and Finland.

At the talks, both sides agreed to bolster coordination at regional and international forums and join common cooperation to deal with global issues.

They also exchanged ideas on some regional and international issues of shared concern, including the recent developments in the East Sea, and emphasised the importance of maintaining peace, stability, freedom, safety and security of navigation and aviation in the region, and of resolving disputes by peaceful means on the basis of international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Also on September 27, Deputy PM Binh met with First Deputy Speaker of the Finnish Parliament Tuula Haatainen.

Binh spoke highly of the Finnish Parliament’s contributions to bilateral relations and hoped that the two countries’ legislatures will continue working together to help implement the signed agreements and set up new directions for bilateral ties.

He conveyed the Vietnamese National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan and Vice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong’s invitations to visit Vietnam to the speaker and deputy speaker of the Finnish Parliament.

The Deputy PM also expressed his hope for the establishment of a Finland – Vietnam parliamentary friendship group to help foster collaboration between the two parliaments and the two countries.

For her part, Deputy Speaker Haatainen said the Finnish Parliament supports a stronger friendship between the two peoples as well as more effective relations between the two countries. She also agreed on the need to further reinforce the parliamentary partnership, including through the setting up of a parliamentary friendship group.

At the meeting, she highly valued Vietnam’s development achievements and efforts in green growth and environmental protection, noting that the Finnish Parliament supports stronger cooperation in economy, education, environment and climate change response.

Deputy PM Binh reiterated Vietnam’s commitments relevant to environmental protection, climate change response, improvement of people’s living standards, and development quality. He said the country wishes to keep effectively partnering with Finland in these fields so as to build on the cooperation attainments over the past years.