Vietnam, Ireland Foreign Ministers hold talks forging cooperation: Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son (R) and Ireland’s Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defense Micheál Martin. (Photo: VNA)

At the talks, Deputy Prime Minister Martin welcomed the visit, the first to Ireland by a Vietnamese foreign minister over the past 20 years, and congratulated Vietnam on its socio-economic achievements.

Speaking highly of Vietnam’s position and role in the region and the world, the host said Ireland views Vietnam as a leading partner in the Asia-Pacific, and that Irish people give special sentiments to Vietnam.

For his part, Foreign Minister Son affirmed the importance Vietnam attaches to its relations with Ireland, and its wish to enhance political trust and deepen multi-faceted cooperation between the two countries, for sustainable development, and for peace, cooperation and development in the region and the world at large.

For measures to foster the bilateral collaboration in politics and diplomacy, the two Ministers consented 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 close coordination and mutual support at multilateral forums like the United Nations and cooperation mechanisms between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the European Union (EU).

Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and Ireland’s Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defense of Ireland Micheál Martin held talks in Dublin, on February 29, 2024. (Photo: WVR/Nhat Phong)

Deputy Prime Minister Martin said he hopes that Vietnam will soon open its Embassy in Ireland to boost the bilateral ties.

For economic, trade and investment cooperation, a pillar of the bilateral relationship, the two sides concurred to maintain their close coordination and maximise the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).

Foreign Minister Son suggested Ireland encourage its businesses to invest in Vietnam in the areas which Ireland has strengths in and matches Vietnam’s socio-economic development orientations like digital transformation, energy transition, and high-tech agriculture.

The Irish Deputy Prime Minister emphasised that Vietnam is a leading trade partner of Ireland, and ample room remains for the bilateral cooperation in this field.

Deputy Prime Minister Martin pledged that Ireland will consider Vietnam’s suggestion about the acceleration of the ratification of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA).

Ireland will also propose the European Commission (EC) to soon remove its “yellow card” warning on Vietnamese seafood, he said, asking Vietnam to facilitate the import of high-quality farm produce and food from Ireland.

The two sides signed an agreement to tighten cooperation between the two Foreign Ministries in the time to come. (Photo: Nhat Phong)

Foreign Minister Son hailed Ireland’s aid projects to Vietnam over the past time, and called on the country to continue its official development assistance (ODA), especially in human resources development, support for disadvantaged groups, and the settlement of bomb and mine consequences.

In national defence and security, the two countries will promote policy consultations and UN peacekeeping training for Vietnam, further exchange expertise, and work together to fight organised, cross-border and high-tech crimes.

The Ministers also agreed on measures to boost cooperation in education-training, labour, tourism and people-to-people exchange, and exchanged views on cooperation opportunities in new, potential spheres like renewable energy, digital economy, and climate change.

They touched upon regional and international issues of shared concern, and expressed their support for multilateralism and rules-based international order, saying disputes should be settled by peaceful measures in accordance with the UN Charter.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defense of Ireland Micheál Martin at the signing ceremony after the talks. (Photo: Nhat Phong)

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

On this occasion, the two sides signed an agreement to tighten cooperation between the two Foreign Ministries in the time to come.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defense of Ireland Micheál Martin take a group photo. (Photo: Nhat Phong)